CENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT OF MAINTENANCE AND MATERIALS FOR COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT FLEETS WITH ACCESS TO REAL-TIME INFORMATION
First Claim
1. A method of managing maintenance of commercial fleet aircraft for multiple aircraft customers, said managing by a maintenance integrator business entity, said integrator being a separate business entity from said aircraft customers, comprising the steps of:
- (A) said integrator providing maintenance for the aircraft using a plurality of aircraft maintenance providers and material suppliers managed and integrated by said integrator;
(B) collecting real-time data from aircraft in each of the fleets related to the operation of the aircraft;
(C) transmitting the data from each aircraft to an operations center controlled by the integrator, said transmitting including while said aircraft is in flight;
(D) converting the data into maintenance information useful in managing maintenance for the aircraft wherein the maintenance information is stored in a computer based server controlled by said integrator;
(E) said integrator planning and scheduling maintenance for the aircraft in the fleets using the maintenance information; and
,(F) said integrator furnishing the maintenance providers with electronic access to the maintenance information through a web portal controlled, by said integrator.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Turnkey maintenance of a customer'"'"'s aircraft fleet is managed by a single management service provider (MSP) controlling integrated maintenance and materials services from a central operations site. The MSP converts data received directly from on-board aircraft systems into information it uses to manage maintenance service providers and parts suppliers. The MSP contracts with and manages maintenance, repair and overhaul organizations (MROs) who perform the maintenance on the customers'"'"' aircraft at line and base stations. The MSP either remotely manages part inventories at the customer'"'"'s site, or manages suppliers who deliver the parts to the MROs. Maintenance planning, scheduling and execution information is exchanged between the MSP, MROs, part suppliers and the customers through a shared data communication network controlled by the MSP. The MSP charges the customer for the maintenance services based on a flat rate per unit of aircraft flying time.
34 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A method of managing maintenance of commercial fleet aircraft for multiple aircraft customers, said managing by a maintenance integrator business entity, said integrator being a separate business entity from said aircraft customers, comprising the steps of:
-
(A) said integrator providing maintenance for the aircraft using a plurality of aircraft maintenance providers and material suppliers managed and integrated by said integrator; (B) collecting real-time data from aircraft in each of the fleets related to the operation of the aircraft; (C) transmitting the data from each aircraft to an operations center controlled by the integrator, said transmitting including while said aircraft is in flight; (D) converting the data into maintenance information useful in managing maintenance for the aircraft wherein the maintenance information is stored in a computer based server controlled by said integrator; (E) said integrator planning and scheduling maintenance for the aircraft in the fleets using the maintenance information; and
,(F) said integrator furnishing the maintenance providers with electronic access to the maintenance information through a web portal controlled, by said integrator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of managing maintenance of fleet aircraft for multiple customers, said managing by a maintenance integrator business entity, said managing by a maintenance business entity from said aircraft customers, comprising the steps of:
-
(A) collecting real-time data related to the operation of the aircraft, said data collected from each aircraft at an operations center controlled by the integrator, said data transmitted and collected including while said aircraft is in flight; (B) converting the data collected in step (A) into maintenance information useful in managing maintenance for the aircraft, wherein the maintenance information is stored in a computer based server controlled by said integrator; (C) said integrator providing maintenance for the aircraft in the fleets using a plurality of aircraft maintenance providers and material providers, managed and integrated by an integrator; and
,(D) furnishing the maintenance providers with an electronic navigation tool enabling the maintenance service providers to retrieve and navigate through the maintenance information over a web portal controlled by said integrator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
11. (canceled)
-
18. A method of managing maintenance of a fleet of vehicles for customers, said customers being vehicle operators, said managing by a single business entity maintenance integrator, said integrator being a separate business entity from said vehicle operators, comprising the steps of:
-
(A) collecting real-time data relating to the operating condition of each of the vehicles, said data collected from each vehicle at an operations center controlled by the integrator, said data collected and transmitted including while said vehicle is in transit; (B) converting the data into maintenance information useful in managing maintenance of the vehicles, wherein the maintenance information is stored in a computer based server controlled by said integrator; (C) said integrator providing maintenance for the vehicles using a plurality of vehicle maintenance providers and parts suppliers collectively managed by an integrator; and
,(D) furnishing the maintenance providers with electronic access to the maintenance information over a web portal controlled by said integrator. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification