As part of a company-wide initiative to improve efficiency and reduce downtimes, US business aviation MRO specialist West Star Aviation has implemented the Corridor Go maintenance software programme, which will put custom configured iPads in the hands of over 600 technicians. The new technology will improve the scaling of the overall work process on the shop floor, leading to a simpler way of working.

West Star distributed custom configured iPads to technicians at its Perryville Regional airport facility in Perryville, Missouri last autumn as part of a beta test with Corridor Go. Through this testing, it discovered how useful an iPad is to a technician beyond accessing Corridor Go. West Star's Grand Junction Regional airport location in Grand Junction, Colorado finished distributing iPads this week, and the MRO is currently focusing on its other main sites at Lovell Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee and St Louis Regional airport in Alton, Illinois with company-wide implementation, including applicable affiliate companies, to be completed by the end of May 2021.

This gives the West Star technical teams access to the latest technical information, including specific vendor issued apps (such as GoGo, L5 Install) and OEM maintenance manuals. Technicians can also order parts directly from their iPads without having to leave the work area. The programme will have wide ranging benefits relating to aircraft services, airframe maintenance, avionics installation/repair, NDT and window repair services.

The iPad provides access to West Star's proprietary systems, such as its internal communication channel and learning management system for on-demand training. This type of training enables technicians to immediately access company developed training and FAA specific training along with virtual maintenance initial training provided by West Star's partners without technicians looking for a way to connect. The result is a technical team that is up to date with requirements from customers, partners and vendors.

“This substantial investment in technology is aimed at simplifying workflow wherever possible by providing a more digitally enabled work environment. By providing hardware that provides quick access to technical data, training material and safety certification content in the hands of the technicians, we are continuing to empower our people to succeed,” says Katie Johnson, VP of human resources.

West Star Aviation is also expanding second shifts at its four full-service locations in St Louis, Illinois; Grand Junction, Colorado; Perryville, Missouri and Chattanooga, Tennessee to improve overall efficiency and reduce turn times. The second shift efforts implemented to date have reduced turn times by as much as 25-30 per cent in certain instances.

West Star is adding new technology allowing for on-demand tech training. As part of a larger company-wide objective aimed at maximising efficiencies throughout the organisation, the organisation has also developed and implemented a new Learning Management System that allows access to its on-demand technical training system via iPad. The new training measures ensure that virtual maintenance training provided by its partners can be efficiently completed without technicians looking for a way to connect. The result is a technical team that is up to date with requirements from valued customers, partners and vendors. The West Star LMS also captures its own technical experts performing certain tasks, and then creates a library for newer technicians to watch and reference. This has been shown to accelerate their development and technical expertise by learning directly from more experienced technicians.

“We are improving several aspects of our workflow process as a larger overall objective,” notes Dave Krogman, general manager (GJT). “This results in the most skilled technicians providing the quickest service to our valued customers.”