The connected fleet: Further implications of aircraft health monitoring for the aviation supply chain

It is difficult to avoid a hot topic currently permeating the aviation supply chain. The issues surrounding big data and aircraft health monitoring (AHM), data ownership, access, and management are increasingly discussed in industry forums, publications, conferences, and boardrooms. Yet, the benefits and challenges for airlines, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO), and lessors continue to be debated, as does the role of each player in the AHM market.

The arrival of highly connected aircraft such as the 787, A350XWB, and CSeries now allow for the measurement, storage, and transmission of more data from aircraft engines, airframes, and systems than ever before. E-enablement presents numerous opportunities both in the short and the long term.