review of literature - shodhgangashodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/33821/3/chapter2.pdf ·...

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REVIEW OF LITERATURE

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2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 TRADITIONAL TRAINING TOOLS

According to the Indian Air Force Flight Safety Strategy “Effective training is

the foundation of a professional. If any deficiency in the equipment or personal

capability exists, it must be improved by appropriate training. Needless to mention,

training must be focused and appropriate for ensuring safety”.

The aerospace and defense industry in India is faced with the need to train

maintenance technicians in removal and installation procedures required for

maintenance of aircrafts, helicopters and engines. Some of the aircrafts, helicopters and

engines in operation are as follows:

a. Aircrafts

• Mirage

• Jaguar

• Sea Harrier

• SU-30 MKI

• Dornier

• HJT-36

• MiG 21

• MiG 23

• MiG 27s

• Light Combat Aircraft

• Indian Hawk

b. Helicopters

• Seaking

• Cheetah

• Chetak

• Lancer

• Advanced Light Helicopter

• Light Combat Helicopter


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c. Engine

• AVON Engine

• GARRETT 331 – 5

• Artouste III B

• ORPHEUS 70105

• AL-31 FP Engine

• R25 Engine

• R-29B Engine

This training requires a reduction in the amount of time spent in hands-on

training on real equipment. Moreover in many cases this equipment might be too

delicate for constant use in training and may not be available for every student to

practice.

Some procedures are found to be hazardous and need to be demonstrated to

maintenance personnel without damaging equipment or injuring personnel. These

procedures require continuous practice and where necessary retraining.

The technician is also to be trained in problem solving and decision making

skills. The training should consider technicians widely distributed with various skills and

experience levels.

The Indian aerospace and defense industry in the past have imparted training

using traditional blackboard outlines, physical demonstrations and video (Figure 2.1)

that is limited in their ability to convey information about tasks, procedures and internal

components. “Most of the Computer Based Training currently in use would now be

considered early or old technology. New training technologies need to be developed to

complement or in some cases even replace on-the-job training. Early Computer Based

Training provided a tutorial type instruction but today's students have a greater

expectation for interactive training” says an Indian Air Force Training Command Senior

Maintenance Staff.


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FIGURE 2.1: TRADITIONAL TRAINING TOOLS

In aircraft maintenance colleges, training is mostly being imparted to students

through Computer Aided Instruction (CAI) and Computer Based Training (CBT).

Computer Aided Instruction (CAI)

This training approach is best suited to teaching generic background theory and

specific operating principles. This technology helps the instructor deliver lessons

benefiting from the multimedia capabilities of computers. The instructional content is

provided by the instructor which means that there is more flexibility than with CBT to

cope with Student questions.

Computer Based Training (CBT)

This training approach enables the student to work through training material at

their own pace. It can be designed to present information in different formats and with


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low levels of student interaction. As the computer is providing the instruction in this

case the scope for dealing with student questions is limited. The ability for the student to

progress at their own pace and to revisit topics and the low levels of interaction make

this tool again useful for only teaching generic background theory and specific operating

principles without the need for instructor input.

The process for development of Computer Aided Instruction and Computer Based

Training courseware materials are shown in Figure 2.2 are as follows:

a. Development of lesson definition documents from the data pack supplied by

aircraft, helicopter, engine or equipment manufacturer

b. Design of human machine interface, graphical user interface and style guide

c. Creation of 2D raster and vector graphics, computer generated images, system

schematic diagrams and block diagrams

d. Editing of digital photographs

e. Creation of 3D graphics and editing of digital photos

f. Creation of 2D Vector animations

g. Creation of 3D animations

h. Conversion and editing of video

i. Courseware materials will be provided with audio that includes narrative

scripting and recording, background sounds and special effects

j. Integration of text, graphics, animations, digital photos, video clips, audio with

user-friendly features


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FIGURE 2.2: DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF CAI/CBT COURSEWARE

For development of Computer Aided Instruction and Computer Based Training

courseware materials, designers adopt the ADDIE Model (Figure 2.3) as shown below:

FIGURE 2.3: ADDIE


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Each of the development phases of ADDIE model is explained below:

a. Analysis

This phase will include the study of the data pack that includes engineering

drawings, photos, electronic training notes and instructor guides. During this phase

the multimedia product requirement specification document, project management

plan, configuration management plan and quality plan will be prepared

b. Design

During this phase, the courseware designer will develop human machine

interface, which will include style guide and graphical user interface for the

Computer Aided Instruction and Computer Based Training. The details of which are

given below:

Human Machine Interface (HMI) Design Document

The courseware designer will produce a Human Machine Interface (HMI) design

which includes the Computer Aided Instruction and Computer Based Training

courseware lessons style guides and graphical user interface design documentation

for all courseware lessons and media items at the start of the development process.

The style guide will define the quality of various computer graphics to appear in the

multimedia product courseware lessons, which will be stored in digital form.

These lessons, frames and sub-frames will be developed in a modular format. These

lessons will also allow for progressive build up for complex systems.

The HMI documents will include: -

• User Log on

• Graphical user interfaces

• Style guides for all courseware media items

During the design phase, the designer will develop prototype of multimedia

product lessons containing various media elements and user interface type and

demonstrate it to the representatives of the aircraft/helicopter/engine manufacturer

for acceptance. The design document will also be submitted to representatives of the

aircraft/helicopter/engine manufacturer for approval.


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c. Development

Following activities will be carried out after approval of the human machine

interface: -

• Development of lesson definition documents based on the data pack

supplied by the manufacturer. The lesson definition documents will

contain the following:

o The lesson objectives

o The lesson sequence

o Description of illustrations to be used

o Description of interactions

o Text to appear on the screen

o Script for the narrative

o Other special effect sounds

• Creation of 2D raster and vector graphics

• Creation of 3D graphics and modification of digital photos

• Creation of 2D Vector animations

• Creation of 3D animations

• Audio scripting and recording

• Creation of graphical user interface

• Integration of text, graphics, animations, digital photos, video clips, audio

with user-friendly features

Media Elements for Multimedia Product Courseware Lessons

The designer will develop and maintain media elements for the development of

multimedia product courseware lessons based on mutual agreement between the

designer and manufacturer. The choice of media for specific material within a

module will be based on the best instructional method for teaching as agreed with the

manufacturer.

During development of graphical media elements, color schemes of the real

aircraft including internal and external views are incorporated. Block diagrams of

complex systems are presented in hierarchical manner, descending from a top-level


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concept to details of individual elements of the system. The designer will produce

instructor narrative audio for courseware lessons. The designer produces and

maintains an integrated common media source repository for all media items. On

completion of each multimedia product courseware, the designer will deliver the

media elements on a media like CD to the manufacturer.

d. Implementation

CAI/CBT Production & Delivery of BETA version

The designer will deliver a BETA version for each CAI and CAT courseware

lesson to the manufacturer on media like CD-ROM with a Software Release Note

(SRN) for review and acceptance by the manufacturer. The designer will provide the

necessary installation instructions for the beta version courseware lesson.

Review of BETA Multimedia Product courseware lessons

The designer will establish and agree a format for review of the BETA CAI/CBT

courseware lessons. The designer will review comments received from the

manufacturer and will provide a response identifying the rectification action to be

carried out.

Rework to ‘BETA’ Version

Rework to the BETA version in accordance with the BETA review comments

will be carried out. The reworked BETA version will become the "final" version of

the CAI/CBT courseware lesson. The designer will deliver the “final" version of

each courseware lesson to the manufacturer on media like CD together with a

Software Release Note (SRN) for review and acceptance by the manufacturer.

e. Evaluation

During this phase the courseware lesson will be evaluated for the implementation

of refinements documented during the implementation phase.

Final item review

The manufacturer will undertake a review of the "final" items and confirm their

completeness and suitability. In the event that defects or errors which have

previously been commented upon against the original BETA version of the

CAI/CBT courseware lesson has not been rectified to the satisfaction of the

manufacturer, then manufacturer will re-issue a comments proforma. In the case of a


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rejection by the manufacturer through the re-issue of a comments proforma then the

designer will rework the item.

In the event that new defects or errors are discovered which have been caused by

the designer’s update to the original BETA reversion then the manufacturer will re-

issue a comments proforma. In this case also the designer will rework the CAI/CBT

courseware lesson. Rework will be carried out according to the BETA version

process described under the implementation phase above.

The following table shows how maintenance engineers are currently being

trained in aircraft, helicopter and engine maintenance and are listed in Table 2.1.

TABLE 2.1

TRADITIONAL TRAINING TOOLS USAGE

Aircraft /

Helicopter/Engine

Traditional Training Tools

Physical Mockups Video Computer Based

Training /

Computer Aided

Instruction

Kiran Aircraft Yes No No

Jaguar Aircraft Yes Yes Yes

Sea Harrier Aircraft Yes Yes Yes

Mirage Aircraft Yes Yes Yes

SU-30 MKI Aircraft No No Yes

Dornier Aircraft No Yes No

MiG 21 No Yes Yes

MiG 23 No Yes Yes


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MiG 27s No Yes Yes

Seaking Helicopter Yes No Yes

Cheetah Helicopter No Yes No

Chetak Helicopter No Yes No

Lancer Helicopter No Yes No

Advanced Light

Helicopter

No Yes Yes

AVON Engine No No Yes

GARRETT 331 – 5

Engine

No No Yes

Artouste III B Engine No No Yes

ORPHEUS 70105

Engine

No No Yes

AL-31 FP Engine No No Yes

R25 Engine No No Yes

R-29B Engine No No Yes

The process of creating Computer Based Training (CBT) and Computer Aided

Instruction (CAI) materials for training engineers on aircraft maintenance involves

the use of numerous multimedia softwares. These softwares are expensive and the

courseware designer needs to be skilled with the application of these softwares to

create Computer Based Training (CBT) and Computer Aided Instruction (CAI)

training materials. Some of these softwares are listed in the next page.


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a. Adobe Flash

Adobe Flash movies are graphics, text, animation, and applications for Web sites.

They consist primarily of vector graphics, but they can also contain imported video,

bitmap graphics, and sounds. Flash movies can incorporate interactivity to permit input

from viewers, and you can create nonlinear movies that can interact with other Web

applications [ADO].

Web designers use Flash to create navigation controls, animated logos, long-form

animations with synchronized sound, and even complete, sensory-rich Web sites. Flash

movies use compact vector graphics, so they download rapidly and scale to the viewer's

screen size.

b. Sound Forge

Sound Forge is a digital audio editor that includes a powerful set of audio

processes, tools, and effects for recording and manipulating audio [SON]. This industry-

standard application is the professional's choice for audio editing, audio recording,

effects processing, streaming content creation, and more. With its intuitive interface and

streamlined editing environment, no other software program provides you with the

extensive professional capabilities that Sound Forge software does for editing and

mastering audio.

Sound Forge software provides the ultimate set of tools for recording

professional audio. Record straight into your computer via your sound card and use the

new record timer to begin and end a session at a specific time and date. Apply over 40

professional studio effects and processes that include over 200 presets. New effects

include Volume, Pan, Delay, Chorus and more. Use the Acoustic Mirror™ plug-in to

apply different environments to your audio including concert halls, caves, stairways,

outdoors, even process your audio through modern and classic microphones.

Sound Forge software supports multiple file formats in the same workspace

without the need for conversion. Open and edit WMA, WMV, WAV, MOV, AVI, PCA

AIF, MP3 and many others. The Sound Forge application has support for various video

formats, including AVI, WMV, and MPEG-1 and MPEG-2*. Synchronize audio and

video frame by frame to produce professional multimedia productions. Open and edit


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24fps DV files, including footage shot with 24p cameras in its original form without

introducing interlaced frames.

c. Adobe Premiere

Adobe Premiere Software brings the world of digital movie making to the

desktop. Premiere lets you record, create, and play video programs using video, sound,

animations, photographs, drawings, text, and other material on your windows computer

[ADO].

You can play movies created in premiere in any application that supports the

Apple Quick Time format or (in Windows only) the DirectShow format, or you can

output video programs in a number of ways, including to videotape, to an Edit Decision

List (EDL), or to MPEG or Animated GIF format.

d. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a photo retouching, image editing, and color painting

software. This program offers you the tools you need to get professional quality results

and excels as an art production tool, whether you are a graphics producer who needs to

merge and edit color images, a photographer who wants to retouch proofs, a

photographer who wants to retouch proofs, or a graphic designer who is creating original

or composite artwork, collages, or photomontages for print or on the web [ADO].

Photoshop is equally useful to printers and service bureaus that want to generate

color separations, to animators who want to colorize images and produce audio-visual

materials quickly, and to artists who want to create new artwork using the latest media

and tools.

e. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a comprehensive vector-based drawing program that makes it

easy to create professional artwork-from simple logos to intricate technical illustrations.

Adobe Illustrator provides tools and effects that let you work efficiently to

produce high – quality graphics. You can also deliver your artwork to a service bureau

for printing or publishing your document to the Internet [ADO].


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f. 3D Studio Max

3D Studio Max delivers advanced tools for character animation, next-generation

game development, and visual effects production. Numerous key feature additions and

architectural enhancements make 3D Studio Max an ideal tool for the 3D animation

industry [AUT].

A highly tuned animation system allows artists to bring their ideas to life with the

most advanced tools for modeling and animating characters. State-of-the-art interactive

graphics, approachable extensibility, next-generation modeling tools, and truly open

architecture make 3D Studio Max the premiere 3D content creation tool for next-

generation game development, such as Microsoft®'s Xbox and Sony Playstation® 2

platforms.

An interactive and photo-realistic ActiveShade render engine, customizable and

production-proven network rendering system, and tight post-production integration with

combustion™ — Discreet's desktop 3D compositing software makes 3D Studio Max the

most efficient and productive tool for film and television visual effects.

g. Camtasia Studio

Camtasia Studio is the complete professional solution for recording, editing and

sharing high-quality screen video on the Web, CD-ROM and portable media players,

including iPod [TEC].

Easily record your screen, PowerPoint, multiple audio tracks, and webcam video

to create compelling training videos, screencasts, and presentations without ever leaving

your desk. With the power of interactive Camtasia Studio videos, you can deliver high-

quality content anytime, to even your most remote audience.

h. SnagIt Screen Capture and Sharing

There are times when sharing exactly what you see on your screen is the quickest

and clearest way to communicate. Using SnagIt, you can capture anything on your

screen, then easily add text, arrows, or effects, and save the capture to a file or share it

immediately by e-mail or instant messenger [TEC].

i. VR Worx

Allows you to create cylindrical panoramic movies, object movies and multi-

node scenes (a.k.a. virtual tours), all in the QuickTime format, easier and faster than


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ever. It has the ability to create object movies with a panoramic movie as a moving

background and has the capacity for transitions within a multi-node scene, like standard

wipes, dissolves, explodes, and others, as well as actual linear video as a transition

[VRT].

A case study to find out the effort spent using video as a means of training was

carried out on the following installations:

• Hydraulic Pump

• Hydraulic Reservoir

• High Pressure Filter

• Anti-Skid Control Valve

• Quick Disconnect Coupling Suction

The time spent training a trainee on the above installations using video clips was

captured along with the actual time spent by this trainee performing the above

installations in Table 2.2.

TABLE 2.2

TRAINING USING VIDEO CLIPS

Installation Training Time (Minutes) Installation Time (Minutes)

Hydraulic Pump 180 30

Hydraulic Reservoir 270 60

High Pressure Filter 180 45

Anti-Skid Control Valve 150 45

Quick Disconnect

Coupling Suction

135 30

It was observed that the trainee found it difficult to perform these installations

and the time spent by the trainee performing these installations was too much and the

trainee needed to be given further on the job training on these installations resulting in

an additional training cost.


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2.2 TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING TOOLS

Secondly aircraft and defense industry is faced continuously with a challenge to

manage information and publishing requirements. These documents particularly in this

industry are generally of a large size and need to be regularly updated. Since this

information is used to assist maintenance engineers in understanding the aircraft

description, maintenance and operation, it is mandatory to ensure that this information is

easily available and technically correct. A single aircraft maintenance manual can even

exceed 40,000 pages (Figure 2.4). Content is constantly being revised to represent new

configurations of aircrafts, enhancements in technical procedures and changes in

engineering practices. This requires documents to be updated and reissued every 120

days. Moreover this information needs to be delivered to a wide range of customers in

different output forms like paper, microfilm, digital interchange formats and CD-ROM.

FIGURE 2.4: AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE MANUAL

Since the advent of desktop publishing tools and word processing software for

creation of technical publications, processes have been labor intensive resulting in long

publication development life cycles. Each time a document is created or updated

formatting has to be applied manually. Moreover preparing documents for print or web


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requires complete reformatting. There is a tendency for authors to recreate content

instead of reusing it resulting in an increase in both time and cost. This results in authors

updating and reformatting every instance of information that is repeated. This imposes a

burden on authors and prevents them from frequent updating of information. Moreover

inconsistencies in structure of information across similar documents make the content

difficult for maintenance engineers to understand and update. Some of the commonly

used aircraft technical publications are as follows:

• Aircraft Maintenance Manual

• Component Maintenance Manual

• Illustrated Parts Catalogue

• Description and Operation Manual

• Flight Manual

• Flight Reference Cards

• Consumable Products Manual

• Master Servicing Schedules

• Storage and Preservation Manual

• Structural Repair Manual

• Schedule of Equipment (SOE)

• Wiring Diagram Manual

• Component Replacement List

• Non Destructive Testing Manual

• Power Plant Manual

• Engine Illustrated Parts Catalog

• Equipment Manual

• Engine Repair and Overhaul Manual

• Ground Support Equipment Manual

• Pilot’s Notes

• Weight & Balance Manual

• TTGE


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A study was carried out to find out which traditional technical publication tools

are currently being used in aircraft, helicopter and engine technical publications and are

listed in Table 2.3.

TABLE 2.3

TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING TOOLS

Aircraft / Helicopter/Engine Traditional Publishing Tools

Adobe

PageMaker

Microsoft Word AutoCAD

Kiran Aircraft No Yes Yes

Jaguar Aircraft No Yes Yes

Sea Harrier Aircraft No Yes Yes

Mirage Aircraft No Yes Yes

SU-30 MKI Aircraft No Yes Yes

Dornier Aircraft No Yes Yes

MiG 21 Aircraft No Yes Yes

MiG 23 Aircraft No Yes Yes

MiG 27s Aircraft No Yes Yes

Seaking Helicopter Yes No Yes

Cheetah Helicopter Yes No Yes

Chetak Helicopter Yes No Yes

Lancer Helicopter Yes No Yes

Advanced Light Helicopter Yes No Yes


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AVON Engine No Yes Yes

GARRETT 331 – 5 Engine No Yes Yes

Artouste III B Engine No Yes Yes

ORPHEUS 70105 Engine No Yes Yes

AL-31 FP Engine No Yes Yes

R25 Engine No Yes Yes

R-29B Engine No Yes Yes

A case study was performed on the technical publications department of a fighter

aircraft manufacturer who was faced with the responsibility of maintaining the technical

publications of a fighter aircraft. These technical publications at present were being

composed in Microsoft Word with illustrations in AutoCAD.

The effort for initial composition, reformatting and finalization of Flight Manual

and Flight Reference Cards comprising of 825 pages along with schedule of completion

and defect rate were captured in Table 2.4.

TABLE 2.4

TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING – FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

Microsoft Word and AutoCAD

Effort for initial composition of

825 pages

236 man-hours

Effort for reformatting and

finalization of 825 pages

142 man-hours

Schedule of completion and

delivery of 825 pages

58 man-days

Defect Rate 1 in 47 pages


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From the above data it was conclusive that authors were recreating content

instead of reusing it resulting in an increase in effort spent in creation, formatting and

finalization of content. Each time a document was updated, formatting had to be applied

manually to every instance of information leading to delayed schedules and a higher

number of defects. Although there was a need to issue these updated publications to the

maintenance engineers on the field, an increased effort, schedule and defect resulted in

delays.

Another case study was performed on the technical publications department of a

helicopter production company who was faced with the responsibility of maintaining the

technical publications of a civil helicopter. These technical publications at present were

in hardcopy supplied by the helicopter Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). These

publications were converted into Microsoft Word and AutoCAD for any required

updating.

The effort for conversion, reformatting and finalization of Maintenance Manual,

Illustrated Parts Catalogue and Description and Operation Manual comprising of 3050

pages along with schedule of completion and defect rate were captured in Table 2.5.

TABLE 2.5

TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING – CIVIL HELICOPTER

Microsoft Word and AutoCAD

Effort for initial composition of

3050 pages from hardcopy

763 man-hours

Effort for reformatting and

finalization of 3050 pages

458 man-hours

Schedule of completion and

delivery of 3050 pages

114 man-days

Defect Rate 1 in 33 pages


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Again from the above data it was conclusive that authors were spending effort in

recreation and reformatting of content. Each time a document was updated formatting

was applied manually to every instance of information leading to delayed schedules and

a higher number of defects in these documents.

2.3 INFORMATION ACCESSIBILITY

An aircraft is required to be maintained in airworthy condition. During

maintenance of aircrafts, a maintenance engineer is often required to refer publications

for maintenance procedures. These publications are at present are paper-based

consuming time to access the relevant information. In Figure 2.5, a structural mechanic

refers to paper-based technical publications before using a hydraulic test stand to

troubleshoot a landing gear control valve in the aviation hydraulic shop.

FIGURE 2.5: PAPER-BASED TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS

A study was carried out to find out which format of technical publications are

currently being used in aircraft, helicopter and engine maintenance and are listed in

Table 2.6.


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TABLE 2.6

PAPER-BASED TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS

Aircraft / Helicopter/Engine Paper-Based Technical Publications

Kiran Aircraft Yes

Jaguar Aircraft Yes

Sea Harrier Aircraft Yes

Mirage Aircraft Yes

SU-30 MKI Aircraft Yes

Dornier Aircraft Yes

MiG 21 Aircraft Yes

MiG 23 Aircraft Yes

MiG 27s Aircraft Yes

Seaking Helicopter Yes

Cheetah Helicopter Yes

Chetak Helicopter Yes

Lancer Helicopter Yes

Advanced Light Helicopter Yes

AVON Engine Yes

GARRETT 331 – 5 Engine Yes

Artouste III B Engine Yes

ORPHEUS 70105 Engine Yes


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AL-31 FP Engine Yes

R25 Engine Yes

R-29B Engine Yes

A case study on a military helicopter for correct identification of causes of faults,

time spent in troubleshooting and number of errors committed when performing

removals and replacements were recorded using the following paper-based publications:

• Description and Operation

• Maintenance Manual

• Fault Isolation Manual

• Airplane Illustrated Parts Catalog

Correct identification of causes of faults, time spent in troubleshooting and

number of errors committed when performing removals and replacements on a military

helicopter using paper-based publications were captured in Table 2.7.

TABLE 2.7

FAULT IDENTIFICATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING –

MILITARY HELICOPTER

Paper-Based Publications

Correct identification of causes of 12

problems (faults)

7

Time spent in hours solving the 12

problems (troubleshooting)

82

Number of errors committed when

performing 38 removals and 12

replacements

14

The above data shows that since the maintenance engineer has to refer to several

technical publications in hardcopy and all information is not easily accessible, it leads to


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incorrect identification of causes to faults, increased effort in troubleshooting and errors

being committed when performing removals and replacements.

Another case study on a transport aircraft for correct identification of causes of

faults, time spent in troubleshooting and number of errors committed when performing

removals and replacements were recorded using the following paper-based technical

publications:

• Maintenance Manual

• Fault Isolation Manual

• Airplane Illustrated Parts Catalog

Data captured on correct identification of causes of faults, time spent in

troubleshooting and number of errors committed when performing removals and

replacements on a transport aircraft were captured in Table 2.8.

TABLE 2.8

FAULT IDENTIFICATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING –

TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT

Paper-Based Technical Publications

Correct identification of causes of

9 problems (faults)

5

Time spent in hours solving the 9

problems (troubleshooting)

58

Number of errors encountered

when performing 16 removals and

4 replacements

8

Again the above data shows that the lack of easy accessibility to the required

information resulted in the maintenance engineers performing incorrect identification of

causes to faults, increased effort in troubleshooting and errors being committed when

performing removals and replacements.


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2.4 ILLUSTRATED PARTS CATALOGUE

An Illustrated Parts Catalogue (IPC) is used to assist maintenance personnel in

the identification, requisitioning, storing & issuing of parts for all types of aircraft

systems. Illustrations are given on the left hand side of the catalogue and the pages are

evenly numbered as shown in Figure 2.6.

FIGURE 2.6: ILLUSTRATED PARTS CATALOGUE OF HP FILTER

The parts constituting the assembly illustrated are given in a tabular form on the

right hand side of the catalogue and the pages are odd numbered (Figure 2.4). The

details entered in tabular form are as follows:

• The part number column shows the manufacturer’s part number (or the

standard number)

• The nomenclature column gives the name of each part

• The quantity per assembly column indicates the quantity of a part

required for the illustrated assembly

An Illustrated Parts Catalogue is organized into chapters that deal with different

aircraft systems. Within these chapters are sections and within these sections are

subjects. A subject consists of figures and their associated parts.


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Today these Illustrated Parts Catalogues used by maintenance engineers are in

hardcopy resulting in a lot of time and difficulty spent on identification of assemblies

and their parts even resulting in incorrect identification and requisition of assemblies and

their parts. A study was carried out to find out which format of Illustrated parts

Catalogue are currently being used in aircraft, helicopter and engine part identification

and requisition and are listed in the following Table 2.9.

TABLE 2.9

PAPER-BASED ILLUSTRATED PARTS CATALOGUE

Aircraft / Helicopter/Engine Paper-Based Illustrated Parts Catalogue

Kiran Aircraft Yes

Jaguar Aircraft Yes

Sea Harrier Aircraft Yes

Mirage Aircraft Yes

SU-30 MKI Aircraft Yes

Dornier Aircraft Yes

MiG 21 Aircraft Yes

MiG 23 Aircraft Yes

MiG 27s Aircraft Yes

Seaking Helicopter Yes

Cheetah Helicopter Yes

Chetak Helicopter Yes

Lancer Helicopter Yes


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Advanced Light Helicopter Yes

AVON Engine Yes

GARRETT 331 – 5 Engine Yes

Artouste III B Engine Yes

ORPHEUS 70105 Engine Yes

AL-31 FP Engine Yes

R25 Engine Yes

R-29B Engine Yes

A case study was carried to find out the time taken for identification and

requisition of the following assemblies and their parts on an aircraft using a paper-based

Illustrated Parts Catalogue

• Brake Control Valve-2

• Anti-Skid Control Unit

• Emergency Oxygen Unit and Cylinders of Oxygen Unit

• Cabin Sealing

• Windscreen

The time spent in identification of assemblies and their parts using a paper-based

Illustrated Parts Catalogue was captured in Table 2.10.

TABLE 2.10

ASSEMBLY AND PARTS IDENTIFICATION

Paper-Based Illustrated Parts Catalogue

(Minutes)

Brake Control Valve-2 35 minutes

Anti-Skid Control Unit 29 minutes

Emergency Oxygen Unit and 33 minutes


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Cylinders of Oxygen Unit

Cabin Sealing 28 minutes

Windscreen 30 minutes

From the above data, it is clear that a maintenance engineer spends more time

when using a paper-based Illustrated Parts Catalogue since assemblies and their parts are

not easily identifiable for requisition resulting in delays in requisition of critical

assemblies and their parts.


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