Prince Aviation, a Serbian business jet MRO, charter and flight school, has become the first business jet company in Europe to implement the Automated Tool Control Level 5 system by Snap-on for managing aircraft maintenance tools.

This significant investment follows Prince Aviation's recent hangar expansion at Belgrade Nikola Tesla airport and continues the company's commitment to partnerships with industry leaders like Garmin, Pratt & Whitney and Collins. The adoption of this innovative system represents a major advancement in tool management technology for aircraft maintenance in the region.

Srdjan Kragojevic, CEO of Prince Aviation, explains the significance of this investment: “Our new hangar was the largest investment we've made to improve our services so far, but we decided to make another considerable investment shortly after by purchasing the Automated Tool Control Level 5 system from Snap-on. For now, we've purchased nine workstations. Each is far more than just a box for storing tools; they have an in-built system that scans every tool in real-time, no matter its shape or size.

“This means we can control and manage our entire tool inventory; at any time, we can instantly find out which mechanic took which tool, when they took it and when it was returned, if it has been returned. The system also allows us to mark whether a tool is damaged, needs inspection or has been lost, and can even issue a reminder when it's time to calibrate each tool."

The Automated Tool Control Level 5 system addresses critical aviation maintenance requirements for tool management. “Both domestic and foreign aviation regulators require each aircraft maintenance organisation to have complete control of the tools used by its aircraft mechanics. The company or MRO owns the tools, and they are then assigned to individual mechanics,” notes Kragojevic. “We've now solved all these challenges with a single fully automated system. This represents a quantum leap forward in safety, optimisation and efficiency for our business jet MRO operation.”

Cesar Afonso, Snap-on's business segment manager, describes the sophisticated technology behind the system: “Each mobile toolbox or workstation with drawers for storing tools has several cameras installed, which take photographs of each drawer multiple times. A photo is also taken each time a drawer is opened or closed. Our software records these events in real-time, registering whether a tool has been issued or returned to its pocket place and if that tool has been incorrectly returned or not returned at all.”

He emphasises the system's comprehensive capabilities: “Each mechanic has his own login and badge, which grants appropriate access. The system can track which mechanic borrowed each tool, how long they were using it and whether they returned it to the correct place. If the tool isn't returned, the system can issue a warning. In addition to inventory management, perhaps the most important thing to note is that the system practically eliminates FOD, preventing tools from being lost anywhere they shouldn't be.”

Each Snap-on workstation features its own internal battery powering the software, cameras and display. The cabinets are mobile for use anywhere in or outside the hangar.

The company plans to extend tool management practices to other areas: “In addition to the Snap-on system, we have started to apply similar controls to other materials we use in the maintenance process, from cleaning cloths to clothing. With every aspect of aircraft maintenance in the hangar monitored, we can improve our overall quality of work, optimise our operations and most importantly guarantee the highest level of safety with regards to FOD,” concludes Kragojevic.