Next generation design for jet freighter cargo loading system interface

• Main Author: Chew, Ann Hao.
• Other Authors: Lee Yong Tsui
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/54781
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In this dissertation, research efforts had been conducted for air cargo operational defects process capturing and its timely rectification for smooth operation. Research was conducted by making field observations, interview with people working in the industry, understanding of air cargo operations and its operational issues and problems. A review of research and conference papers was also carried out. The results were consistent that a combination of network and discrete GUI system ware will greatly augment air cargo operations and enable air cargo operators to have a strong awareness of issues that can impact cargo flights. One of the other major changes is the relentless process of integrating the avionics systems, which is blurring the division between some of the functions of the flight management system and EFB. The current EFB processes information from aircraft sensors and navigation equipment. There is a graphical interface between the system and the crew who are using the equipment. Majority of the function is mostly to protect the integrity of the Flight Management System from virus contamination by the constantly updated information contained in digital charts, notices to airmen, aviation information systems, real-time weather information services, flight manuals. This also including weight and balance, performance calculation criteria and checklists. One area, which is not yet covered by the EFB in the aviation industry, is the main deck cargo handling system status display. This information is crucial to cargo airline operations due to their importance of revenue generation. The current main deck cargo handling system currently has no displays of the electrically powered units (PDU) that move the pallets of cargo. These powered drive unit facilitate movement of cargo throughout the main deck compartment. It is accomplished by two different type of PDU. First, is by power drive wheels or second, by power drive unit actuators. All of these are currently installed in the main deck floor of the airplane. The PDUs are controlled from the cargo control panels installed on the sidewalls on each side of the compartment. All of these PDU defects are recorded in paper logbook for. Due to the schedule constraint in flight transit down time, logbooks are often not recorded properly. This resulted in inaccurate PDU defect recording and in worst-case scenario, eventual cargo offloading. These are heavy losses to the cargo airline on accumulation or occurrences. One way to improve this situation will be converting these defect logbook recordings into EFB defect entries for real time defect display and monitoring via graphic user interface. Another advantage of EFB logbook is its paperless operations, which saves weight.