Global Connectivity Makes Engine Health Data More Accessible

Using P&W’s FAST™ prognostic and diagnostic technology to monitor engine health and maximize aircraft availability is now easier than ever, thanks to a new turnkey digital management solution for global engine connectivity.

P&W’s FAST™ solution brings the benefits of big data and advanced analytics to aircraft engine condition trend monitoring. When a FAST-equipped aircraft takes off, the system automatically records full-flight data on key engine and aircraft parameters. As soon as the pilot shuts down the engine, this data is encrypted and wirelessly transmitted to the P&W data center for analysis and the results are sent to the operator – all within just 15 minutes.

“There are many potential applications for FAST data,” says P&WC’s Sébastien Larue, Senior Manager, Sales, Business Development & Strategic Partnership. “Engine data can be used for proactive maintenance and troubleshooting. Aircraft data can be used to progressively monitor performance, prepare detailed operational reports, or enhance pilot briefings and training.”

Operators in segments such as business aviation and aeromedical services are embracing the high quality and near-real-time availability of FAST data. With the insights they gain from it, they are reducing unscheduled maintenance and maximizing aircraft availability.

P&W is leveraging FAST data to help customers make more informed decisions and optimize their operations. For instance, the detailed situational awareness made possible by the data enables a more rapid return to service when dealing with an aircraft on ground.

FAST also allows operators to move closer to a fully planned maintenance environment by facilitating proactive management and scheduling. It has led to the introduction of new data-driven digital services like the Proactive Help Desk, a team of engineers and analysts who draw on insights gained from FAST and other tools to provide timely, comprehensive white-glove support for PW300- and PW800-powered aircraft. 

Gaining the full benefit of this technology involves more than just installing the FAST hardware on the aircraft. To ensure a robust pipeline of high-quality data from an aircraft that could be taking off in one part of the world and landing in a different hemisphere, operators also need to have a configured SIM card with cellular network access and a valid data plan that provides global coverage without roaming fees.

P&W is now taking care of all of this with its new global engine connectivity service. This turnkey solution means that FAST customers no longer have to purchase, set up and manage the SIM card, network access and data plan themselves.

Sébastien explains that P&W occasionally received calls from customers who thought they were having issues with the FAST hardware—but it turned out that the root cause was a connectivity issue, such as a data plan that had expired.

“Operators have enough to think about. They don’t want to be configuring SIM cards and dealing with data plans as well,” he notes. “We therefore decided to introduce global engine connectivity to make accessing and using FAST data as simple as possible.”

The service includes a preconfigured SIM card that eliminates the need for initial set-up by the customer. It also provides a cellular network data plan and international roaming covering almost any location in the world. Transferred data is processed on P&W servers, then sent to CAMP for trending analysis. Actionable results are available to the operator within minutes of engine shutdown.

The global engine connectivity service also gives P&W more insight into what’s happening with customers’ network access. Previously, if there was an issue, the customer had to go through the third-party provider. Now, P&W has direct access to the relevant information.

There’s more to come from FAST following the introduction of the global engine connectivity service, Sébastien adds. “Right now, we’re developing a 4G upgrade which we hope to release next year,” he says. New features such as digital propeller balancing vibration trend monitoring are being added, too, further enhancing the solution’s value for customers.

The global engine connectivity service will be offered as part of P&W’s Eagle Service™ Plan (ESP™) to enrolled customers who fly aircraft with our engine monitoring system, including FAST and ADAS/DTU solutions. Talk to your customer manager to learn more.

Customers around the world are using FAST to enhance performance and availability. Discover why reputed operators such as Australia’s Royal Flying Doctor Service and Toll Helicopters have adopted this technology.