Page 24 - ITU-T Focus Group on Aviation Applications of Cloud Computing for Flight Data Monitoring - Use cases and requirements

ITU-T Focus Group on Aviation Applications of Cloud Computing for Flight Data Monitoring
Use cases and requirements

The primary purpose of ATC worldwide is to prevent collisions, organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and
provide information and other support for pilots.

With the growing number of flights worldwide and congestion of the radio frequencies in areas with heavy
aircraft activities, systems have been developed to replace voice communication with data communication.
The controller can send new instructions, for example heading or altitude, via an ATC data message to the
aircraft. The pilot can accept the message, which automatically transfers the data to the autopilot and sends
a confirmation to the controller.

All the ATC messages can be collected and can provide an information source for reconstructing the moments
before an accident.

3.8 Airline operational communication (AOC)

Airline operational communication (AOC) integrates the aircraft with the airlines/operators network, allowing
monitoring of each aircraft's track, position and faults to pre-emptively plan for repair. Up-to-the-minute fleet
information allows for better planning and significant cost savings.

The airlines have very different use cases for the AOC messaging. It can include fuelling processes, de-icing
processes, weather and airport information, position reports, flight log, defect reporting, maintenance or
station communication, load sheets, flight plans, etc. Some of these messages, for instance position reports
or defect reports, can be of interest for a flight data cloud.

3.9 Dedicated data units

Besides the mentioned data above, operators can install additional units to monitor and/or stream data. These
range from simple position reports to complete flight data streaming. Many of these systems are found in
business jets or smaller. The format and data depend on the individual product and the purpose of the device.
However, the data can be a valuable source of information.

3.10 Computer system log files

Modern aircraft produce a number of log files for various aircraft systems. These files need to be downloaded
and analysed. They are different in format and size. Potentially they could also include helpful information
for the cloud applications.

One example: modern aircraft have an integrated wireless fidelity (WiFi) system in the cabin. An on-board
server stores log files for the WiFi performance and access point status. These log files of the WiFi system or
other systems might become of interest in an accident investigation.

3.11 Technical logbook

Technical defects and problems are recorded in a technical logbook available to the flight crew. Typically
this logbook is paper based. A current trend in aviation innovation is to move the paper based logbook
to an electronic technical logbook (eTLB). This data can be sent during the flight and directly fed into the
maintenance ground systems.

3.12 Custom modifications

There is always the possibility for an operator to install additional systems that can generate data, for instance
custom A/C tracking systems or smoke and fire detection systems. In addition, video streaming systems could
be developed and installed in aircraft to monitor activities in the cabin or cockpit.

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