Sub Module 11.18 On Board Maintenance

PIA TRAINING CENTRE (PTC) Module 11A –TURBINE AEROPLANE AERODYNAMICS, STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS
Category – B1.1 Sub Module 11.18 - On-Board Maintenance Systems
MODULE 11A
Sub Module 11.18
ON-BOARD MAINTENANCE SYSYTEMS

(ATA 45)
ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

PTC/CM/B1.1 Basic/M11A/06 Issue-04,Rev. 00
11.18 July 2022
Contents
INTRODUCTION (OBMS) ------------------------------------------------1
CENTRAL MAINTENANCE SYSTEM (CMS) ------------------------- 3

DATA LOADING SYSTEMS ------------------------------------------------- 8
ELECTRONIC LIBRARY SYSTEM (ELS)------------------------------10
AIRBORNE PRINTER ---------------------------------------------------------13
STRUCTURE MONITORING -----------------------------------------------15

11.18 - i July 2022
Page Intentionally Left Blank

11.18 - ii July 2022
On-Board Maintenance Systems (OBMS) A Central Maintenance Computer capable of:
Introduction  Receiving and processing fault and situation data from

member systems.
On-board Maintenance Systems are a vital avionic system for  Correlating fault data to possible flight deck effects.
the longevity of airframes, the collection of data used in  Consolidating fault data to isolate the root cause of
troubleshooting and planning. They began with simple ‘press-to- cascading fault conditions.
test’ buttons and failure flags fitted to individual items in the  Initiating tests to verify the integrity of all member
cockpit. These required human action and recorded no data. systems.
Autopilot systems were the driving force behind development of  Providing a common point for control and display of all
a better maintenance system to embrace all of the autopilot’s maintenance functions using plain English formats.
functions and its components, with the intention of meeting the  Processing and formatting output data for printing,
integrity and certification requirements of auto land. The very recording, or transfer to another place.
high safety level specified for auto land could only be attained  Providing a common point for distribution of time, flight
using redundancy in a system, this implied self-test and phase, flight leg, transitions, and similar events, for use
reporting to establish that the system was functioning correctly. by member systems.
In the early analogue electronic auto land system this remained  Recording of Aeroplane Condition Monitoring (ACM)
part of the components, but the introduction of airborne digital data, including manually and automatically initiated
computers made it possible to use a central computer for events.
monitoring and display of system performance.
Ingredients of an On-Board Maintenance System

Typically, the following features are considered to be essential
elements of an onboard maintenance system as defined by
Boeing
A fault detection and reporting function in all member systems

capable of:
 Detecting and isolating all system internal faults to the
Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) level.
 Detecting faults in the LRU input interfaces.
 Testing the system and its interfaces for proper
operation and functionality.
 Internally storing the LRU fault data.
11.18 - 1 July 2022
Figure 1
11.18 - 2 July 2022
RETRIEVAL
CENTRAL MAINTENANCE SYSTEM (CMS)
All the information can be retrieved through:
ACQUISITION
 the cockpit Multipurpose Control Display Unit,
The acquisition of aircraft system data is performed by four  the ECAM displays,
major electronic systems:  the cockpit printer,
 the Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitoring (ECAM)  the downloading system,
system which monitors the operational data in order to  a ground station via ACARS,
display warnings and system information,  the recorders
 the Flight Data Recording System (FDRS) which is ANALYSIS

mandatory and records aircraft operational parameters
for incident investigation purpose, Maintenance operations can be divided into three groups:
 the Central Maintenance System (CMS) which monitors .

the BITE data in order to record the system failures,  Minor troubleshooting which is performed with the help
of the ECAM and the CMS through the MCDUs and the
 the Aircraft Condition Monitoring System (ACMS) which printed or ACARS down-linked reports.
records significant operational parameters in order to
monitor the engines, the aircraft performance and to  In-depth troubleshooting which is performed with the
analyze specific aircraft problems help of the CMS and the ACMS through the MCDUs and
printed reports.
CONSOLIDATION
Long term maintenance which is performed with the help of the
In normal operation, the ECAM permanently displays normal ACMS and the FDRS through printed, ACARS down-linked and
aircraft parameters and the ACMS and FDRS permanently downloaded reports or recorded tapes.
record aircraft system parameters.
When an anomaly is detected by an aircraft system, the ECAM

displays the abnormal parameter or function and its associated
warning and the CMS records the failure information detected
by the system BITE.

11.18 - 3 July 2022
BUILT IN TEST EQUIPMENT (BITE) PHILOSOPHY CYCLIC TESTS
GENERAL These tests are carried out permanently. They do not disturb
system operation. The typical tasks of a cyclic test (also known
A system is composed of LRUs which can be; computers, as IN OPERATION TEST) are; Watchdog test (A watch dog is a
sensors, actuators, probes, etc. Most of these Line Replaceable device capable of restarting the microprocessor if the software
Units (LRUs) are controlled by digital computers. For safety fails) andRAM test. Permanent monitoring is performed by the
reasons, these LRUs are permanently monitored, they can be operational program (e. g. AR1NC 429 messages validity).
tested and troubleshooting can be performed. In each system, a
part of a computer is dedicated to these functions; it is called
Built In Test Equipment. In some multi-computer systems, one SYSTEM TEST
computer is used to concentrate the BITE (Built In Test
Equipment) data of the system. The purpose of this test is to offer to the maintenance staff the
possibility to test the system for troubleshooting purposes.
TEST
This test can be performed after the replacement of an LRU in
The test function can be divided into four groups. order to check the integrity of the system or sub-system. It is
similar to the POWER UP'TEST but it is more complete. It is
POWER UP TEST performed with all peripherals supplied.
The power up test is a safety test. The purpose of a safety test SPECIFIC TESTS
is to ensure compliance with the safety objectives. It is executed
only on ground after long power cuts (more than 200ms). Its For some systems, specific tests are available. The purpose of
duration is a function of the system which is not operational these tests is to generate stimuli to various command devices
during the power up test. such as actuators or valves. They scan have a major effect on
the aircraft (automatic moving of slats or flaps, engine dry
If the aircraft is airborne, the power up test is limited to a few cranking).
items to enable a quick return to operation of the system. The
typical tasks of a power up test are:
 test of microprocessor,
 test of memories
 test of ARINC429
 test various I/O circuits,
 configuration test.

11.18 - 4 July 2022
AIRCRAFT CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEM (ACMS)

GENERAL
These reports can be stored in the internal DMU memory or on
The ACMS provides Operators with performance and trend the PCMCIA card.
information about aircraft systems and engines. The objective is
to support scheduled and preventive maintenance, by FDIU
monitoring the system parameters to improve the dispatch
reliability. The Flight Data Interface Unit (FDIU) is part of the Flight Data
Recording System. It sends the same parameters as the Digital
The ACMS data can be consulted and transmitted in flight to the Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) to the DMU. These parameters
ground for real-time monitoring, or downloaded after flight. will be recorded on the PCMCIA card.
ARCHITECTURE AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
The ACMS consists of: Various aircraft systems are connected to the FDIU. These
input sources provide the FDIU with engine parameters, APU
 The Data Management Unit (DMU) including a Smart parameters and aircraft parameters.
ACMS Recorder (SAR). The DMU may contain a
Personal Computer Memory Card International SAR
Association (PCMCIA) interface
The SAR is a DMU function. This function allows the recording
 Flight Data Interface Unit (FDIU), of compressed data, programmable through the GSE. SAR data
can be stored in the internal DMU memory or on the PCMCIA
 “on-ground" equipment called Ground Support card.
Equipment (GSE),
DAR
 An optional Digital ACMS Recorder (DAR)
The purpose of the DAR is to store data on an optical disk for
DMU on-ground performance, maintenance or condition monitoring
tasks. Pre-programmed selection of data can be done through
The DMU Collects stores and 'processes’ various aircraft the GSE. DAR data can also be stored on the PCMCIA card.
system data. This data can be' stored in the internal DMU
memory, the PCMCIA card or the DAR, if installed. The
collected data is used to generate various condition reports.

11.18 - 5 July 2022
MCDU
Multipurpose Control and Display Units (MCDU) are connected

to the DMU, to display data, program and also control the
system. Compared to the GSE, the programming facilities
offered by the MCDU are very limited.
The main functions of the MCDU within the ACMS are:
 Online display of selected parameters,

 Display of the list of the stored reports and SAR files
 Manual request of reports and SAR/DAR recording.
PRINTER
The printer is used to print reports generated by the DMU as

well as most of the ACMS MCDU displays. The printer can be
automatically controlled by the DMU, manually controlled via the
MCDU or activated using the ACMS PRINT pushbutton.
ACARS
The Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System

can be used to send reports and to broadcast parameters
generated by the ACMS to a ground station via radio
transmission.
 VHF Voice Data Radio,

 Satellite Communication System or
 Gate-Link acting as a Wireless Local Area Network
(LAN) when aircraft is on the ground Figure 2
The download of reports can be automatically initiated by the

DMU or manually initiated from the MCDU.

11.18 - 6 July 2022
GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (GSE)
The GSE is based on a compatible personal computer able to

read 3.5 inch floppy disks and PCMCIA disks. The GSE
software provides the following main functions:
RECONFIGURATION FUNCTION AND READOUT FUNCTION
The reconfiguration function allows the configuration of the

customer database (trigger conditions, layout of recording
space). The readout function allows display, print out and
analysis of recorded data.
DATA LOADER
The data loader is used to upload data into the ACMS

(operational software, customer databases), download data on
a 3.5 inch floppy disk for GSE analysis (reports, SAR data).
PCMCIA INTERFACE
The PCMCIA interface accepts high capacity and removable

PCMCIA disks. On the PCMCIA disk can be stored ACMS
reports, SAR data, DFDR data and DAR data. The disk space
ratio is programmable by the GSE. The PCMCIA interface can
also be used as a portable data loader to upload ACMS
software and databases or to download recorded data. Figure 3

11.18 - 7 July 2022
DATA LOADING SYSTEMS DOWNLOADING
GENERAL The down loading system is used to down load, to a 3.5 inch
disk, the data recorded by certain computers during aircraft
The data loading system is an interface between the aircraft operation (for example the Aircraft Condition Monitoring
computers and ground data processing equipment used to System).
update software and databases or to retrieve aircraft system
data. The MDDU can operate in two modes: automatic mode COMPONENTS
and manual mode.
The MDDU contains:
The manual mode is only used to down load data while the
automatic mode is used to both upload and download data.  An electronic unit composed of a power supply, Input /
According to the operation to be performed, the disk which is output and CPU / Floppy Disk Drive Control boards,
used has to contain specific information (e. g. configuration file).  A Disk Drive installed on shock mounts,
The data loading system includes two rotary selectors for  A window with 16-character alphanumerical LCD
system selection. It also includes a Multipurpose Disk Drive Unit display,
(MDDU).  A door providing access to the Disk Drive.
If the Multipurpose Disk Drive Unit is not installed, Up and Down
Loading functions can be performed through a connector by
using a portable data loader.
Before performing an uploading operation, refer to the relevant
procedure for the corresponding system in the Aircraft
Maintenance Manual.
UPLOADING
The aircraft system computers use the loading system to upload

their database (for example the FMGEC Flight Management
Guidance and Envelope Computer) or to modify parts of their

operational software (for example the ACARS management
unit).

11.18 - 8 July 2022
The source data and the NDB are updated on a 28-day cycle
Data Loading that it corresponds to the normal revision cycle for navigation
charts. Each update disk contains the data for the current cycle
Navigation information required by the aircraft systems is and the next one. This arrangement provides the user with
loaded using "Data Loaders". These loaders are capable of greater flexibility since it is not necessary to load a new disk on
downloading thousands of bytes of information into the required a specific day. Each PCMCIA card contains 8 megabytes of
system in a matter of seconds. The validity of the current data storage.
loaded into an aircraft can be checked using the FMS CDU,
which will show the current version, loaded into it.
429 BUS
Navigation Data Base DISK STORAGE DISK STORAGE INTERFACE
The Navigation database (NDB) contains data that describes

the environment in which the aircraft operates. The type of
information loaded includes:
 Approaches.
POWER
 Country Name. PROG CHNG COMP RDY XFER R/W FAIL
SPARE
FUSE
 Waypoints.
 Airports.
PROG DATA TRANSFER IN PROGRESS
LINE
CHNG DATA CHANGE IS REQUIRED
FUSE
 Runways. COMP
RDY
DATA TRANSFER IS COMPLETE
UNIT READY FOR OPERATION
XFER
R/W
DATA TRANSFER FAILURE
UNABLE TO ACCESS DISK DATA
ON/OFF
FAIL SYSTEM TEST FAILURE
 Marker Beacons
 Holding Patterns
Figure 4
This information is used by the Flight Management Computer
(FMC), to create flight plans that define the aircraft route from
origin to destination.

11.18 - 9 July 2022
Dedicated LRUs on the aircraft storing the data on:
Electronic Library System
The OBMS electronic library will receive and store data from the  Floppy disks.
CMC. The CMC system collects, consolidates, and reports LRU
fault data in order to aid flight crew and maintenance personnel  Recordable tapes.
in maintenance procedures. An aircraft system in which the
CMC is used includes a range of line replaceable units (LRU), a
communication system, through which the LRUs can transmit  Recordable compact discs (CD) or digital versatile discs
LRU fault data and receiver test initiation commands. It also (DVD).
contains an operator interface device for receiving input
commands, displaying data, and communicating with other  Memory cards.
systems.
The CMC system includes a data transfer system, an  Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices.
input/output processor, a memory device and a control
processing system. During flight, the control processing system  WiFi over local area networks.
controls the collection of complete LRU fault data; generates an
isolated fault from the LRU fault data; associates the isolated Information can be taken out on replaceable media from
fault with one of the maintenance messages stored in the airborne data loaders or portable data loaders (laptops/specific
memory device; and causes the associated maintenance devices) to extract information. The latest aircraft do not require
message to be stored as an active maintenance message in physical connections with data being streamed over WiFi
fault history. networks where available. The ARINC specification 615
specifies the protocols (processes) and data formats for all such
data loading.
Data Loading System
The data loading system for an OBMS is an important part of
the CMC system so that stored data can be removed from the
aircraft for reasons already highlighted. Today data can be
removed from aircraft in many ways:

11.18 - 10 July 2022
Figure 5 Figure 6

11.18 - 11 July 2022
Figure 8
Figure 7
Figure 9

11.18 - 12 July 2022
AIRBORNE PRINTER CONTROLS
GENERAL The printer face features pushbutton switches and Annunciator

lights, i.e.
The printer comprises the following functional sub-assemblies;
 TEST switch is used to perform a functional test.
 a front panel with pushbuttons and indicators,  SLEW switch is used to exit paper
 an electronic part consisting of a Central Processing  "PAPER ALARM" pushbutton switch includes an
Unit, printer controller and power supply boards, AMBER caution light.
 A mechanical block.  "OFF" pushbutton switch includes a status indicator light.
The printer allows to printout of the Central Maintenance PRINTER

System reports and additional printouts from:
This model shown below is often used as a versatile cockpit
 the Aircraft Condition Monitoring System (ADAS, AIDS printer. Controls located on the front panel are:
or ACMS),
 The Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting  PRINTER INHIBIT button and light: Turning printer
System (ACARS) on/off.
 the Flight Management, Guidance and Envelope  DOOR LOCK to open the printer for paper replacement
System (FMGES)  SELF TEST button to start a self-test and to print a test
 the Engine Interface Vibration Monitoring Unit (EIVMU or pattern.
EVMU.  FAULT LED illuminates with internal failure or overheat
 PAPER ADVANCE or SLEW button advances paper
PAPER without printing.
The printer works as a non-impact thermal printer which only

works on special heat sensitive paper. The paper can be
inserted via an access door incorporated in the front panel. The
printer is loaded with a correct size of paper roll (108 or 216
mm).

11.18 - 13 July 2022
Figure 10

11.18 - 14 July 2022
STRUCTURE MONITORING
Existing structure monitoring systems integrate a growing range

of aircraft subsystems such as the Structural Health Monitoring
(SHM) subsystem. Commercial aircraft operators are using
SHM technology, driven by a desire to reduce structural
inspection costs, minimise downtime, and improve operational
safety.
In SHM, mechanical loads, vibration, and environmental
conditions (i.e. temperature, pressure) experienced by the
aircraft can be monitored with:
Mechanical strain gauges.
Fibre optic sensors.
Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) devices.
Accelerometers.
Piezo electric/resistive devices.
The aircraft damage state is estimated from the collected data

using structural models that would historically be obtained
through extensive and expensive analysis. A more direct
estimate of the structural state can be obtained by actively
interrogating the size and location of damage, such as thinning
and pitting by corrosion, fatigue cracks, and impact damage.
Unlike the passive sensing that is influenced by the loading and
environmental conditions, the interrogation of the structure can
be done on a continual basis and stored for later download or
streamed via systems such as ACARS to maintenance facilities
or manufacturers. Figure 11

11.18 - 15 July 2022
Figure 9

11.18 - 16 July 2022

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PIA TRAINING CENTRE (PTC) Module 11A –TURBINE AEROPLANE AERODYNAMICS, STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS

Category – B1.1 Sub Module 11.18 - On-Board Maintenance Systems

ON-BOARD MAINTENANCE SYSYTEMS

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

CENTRAL MAINTENANCE SYSTEM (CMS) ------------------------- 3

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

Page Intentionally Left Blank

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

On-Board Maintenance Systems (OBMS) A Central Maintenance Computer capable of:

Introduction  Receiving and processing fault and situation data from

Ingredients of an On-Board Maintenance System

A fault detection and reporting function in all member systems

 the Flight Data Recording System (FDRS) which is ANALYSIS

 the Central Maintenance System (CMS) which monitors .

When an anomaly is detected by an aircraft system, the ECAM

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

AIRCRAFT CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEM (ACMS)

ARCHITECTURE AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

Multipurpose Control and Display Units (MCDU) are connected

The main functions of the MCDU within the ACMS are:

 Online display of selected parameters,

The printer is used to print reports generated by the DMU as

The Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System

 VHF Voice Data Radio,

The download of reports can be automatically initiated by the

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (GSE)

The GSE is based on a compatible personal computer able to

RECONFIGURATION FUNCTION AND READOUT FUNCTION

The reconfiguration function allows the configuration of the

The data loader is used to upload data into the ACMS

The PCMCIA interface accepts high capacity and removable

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

DATA LOADING SYSTEMS DOWNLOADING

The aircraft system computers use the loading system to upload

Guidance and Envelope Computer) or to modify parts of their

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

The Navigation database (NDB) contains data that describes

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

AIRBORNE PRINTER CONTROLS

GENERAL The printer face features pushbutton switches and Annunciator

The printer allows to printout of the Central Maintenance PRINTER

The printer works as a non-impact thermal printer which only

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

Existing structure monitoring systems integrate a growing range

Fibre optic sensors.

Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) devices.

Piezo electric/resistive devices.

The aircraft damage state is estimated from the collected data

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified For Training Purpose Only

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