The current ICAO provisions on aircraft maintenance records and continuing airworthiness records describe the use of both paper and electronic formats. Currently, aircraft maintenance records are mostly stored in a paper format. However, air operators, aircraft manufacturers and maintenance organizations are continuously migrating towards the use of electronic aircraft maintenance records (EAMR) and continuing airworthiness records and digitally supported aircraft maintenance information. This also includes electronic maintenance records and continuing airworthiness records for aircraft, engines, propellers and associated parts.Some States have already published advisory material on the use of EAMR and continuing airworthiness information, are already allowing air operators, aircraft manufacturers and maintenance organizations to make use of EAMR, and digitally supported aircraft maintenance information.
There are several benefits to lessors from the implementation of electronic maintenance records which are summarized below.
Improved Record Retrieval: Reduction in time to search for and locate critical records
Reduction in Lease Return Delays: Improved response times to the next airline’s questions thereby reducing records disputes
Enablement of Remote Due Diligence: Next airlines ability to conduct remote due diligence prior to accepting aircraft, reduction in prior airline required effort allowing more focus on their business
Reduction in Consultant Costs: Reduction in costs associated with consultants being on-site during audits and lease returns
Elimination of Risk of Record Loss: Elimination of the risks associated with catastrophic loss of paper records - to include hostage taking of records
Improvements in End of Lease Preparation: Labour savings within leasing team to produce documentation required at end of lease
There are several benefits to airlines from implementing electronic aircraft records which are summarized below.
Reduction in Lessor Audit Time: Decreased need for consultants to be on-site for mid-term audits and for the lease return process. (with paper-based systems, this period is typically 30 days and growing). Reduction or elimination of need for lessor “Records Related” on-site representation
Reduction in Authority Audit Time: Paperless systems will reduce the time aviation authorities need to be on-site performing audits during lease returns
Reduction in Hosting & Escorting: Minimized hosting and escorting of next airline customers and consultants. Minimized need for office space to accommodate. Reduction in distractions to normal business
Reduction in Aircraft Return Delays: Reduces the potential for delayed returns and associated exposure to continued lease payments
Improved Records Access: On-line record masters can be updated in real time with instant access to researchers Improved Records Search Efficiency. Improved record search and filter capabilities when compared with paper-based systems
Reduction in Disputed Records: Reduction in disputes and cost associated with misfiled or lost records
Enablement of Remote Due Diligence: Reduction in travel and other costs associated with required due diligence prior to accepting aircraft
Reduction in Printing and Storage Costs: Paperless systems drastically decrease the cost of printing and storing paper. (Volume with paper-based systems is estimated at approximately 11,000 pages per aircraft per year)