Incredible Advances in Safety Sensors must be built to integrate with some/all of existing META data systems

JDA Aviation Technology Solutions

IT has continuously increased its contributions to AVIATION SAFETY. Massive capacity to collect data and especially with ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, its capability to collate and analyze literally billions of bits of information has taken predictive and preventive practices to heights long thought to be unreachable. 

The below Aircraft Value News (AVN) article catalogues the additions to this intelligent network brough by SMART SENSORS. The author explains ENGINE VIBRATION DIAGNOSTIC SENSORS with particular focus on these instruments as applied to key engine components. With AI, it is able to turn these raw vibration numbers into trend lines pointing actions both to needed immediately and to preparations for the next scheduled overhaul visits. 

The second focus of the report is the use of SMART SKINS, materials that can be affixed to surfaces. This form of sensing leads to the following functions: 

• Embedded temperature, pressure, strain sensors

• Self-healing Materials

• Energy Harvesting

• Communication

• Adaptive Surfaces

The final point of this examination is the REAL TIME analysis that these various systems can provide. 

All of these enhancements have value and the scope of the paper seems to be the applicability of the sensors and skins appears to be as to one airline. The larger the size of the files being computed, the GREATER THE RELIABILITY of the predictions. 

The developers of these technologies should be aware of the need to amalgamate the output not just to the airline, but also to organizations like: 

• The goal of the FLIGHT SAFETY FOUNDATION’S GLOBAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT PROJECT, launched in 2021, to addresses global and regional aviation safety needs, The project focused on identifying existing safety risks, emerging issues, and gaps in safety measures. It covered six International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) including Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East. GSAP Collects traditional safety data on accidents and incidents. The FSF conducts extensive surveys in collaboration with regional industry groups to gather information on risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and coordination between regulators and service providers.

• The FAA’s Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) program is a voluntary safety initiative designed to enhance aviation safety by collecting and analyzing flight data from routine operations. The program allows airlines and pilots to share de-identified, aggregate data with the FAA to monitor trends in aircraft operations and address potential safety risks.

• Key aspects of FOQA include:

• Data Collection: FOQA uses flight data recorders to gather information on various flight parameters during normal operations.

• Risk Identification: The data is analyzed to identify safety risks, operational deviations, and areas for improvement.

• Proactive Safety Measures: Insights from FOQA help airlines and the FAA implement corrective actions and improve safety protocols.

• The participants include:

• Airlines/Operators

• Pilots

• Labor Organizations.

• Aircraft Manufacturers

●The System Wide Information Management (SWIM) program is a Federal Aviation Administration program to enhance the sharing of aeronautical, flight, weather, and surveillance data across the National Airspace System (NAS). It serves as the digital backbone of the FAA’s Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). 

• Key features of SWIM include:

• Centralized Data Access: SWIM provides a single point of access for aviation data, allowing users to retrieve the information they need through a standardized connection.

• Improved Collaboration: By translating data into standard formats, SWIM facilitates collaboration among various stakeholders, including airlines, service providers, and international aviation organizations.

• Efficiency: It eliminates the need for multiple, point-to-point data connections, streamlining the process of data sharing.

• Enhanced Situational Awareness: SWIM supports better decision-making by providing real-time, reliable information to the right people at the right time.

• The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has several safety data sharing programs aimed at improving aviation safety through collaboration and data analysis. Two key programs include:

1.Flight Data Exchange (FDX) 

• Part of IATA’s Global Aviation Data Management (GADM) program.

• Aggregates de-identified flight data from participating airlines.

• Provides insights into safety trends and benchmarking at global, regional, and airport levels.

• Helps airlines identify safety risks and improve operational safety.

2. Safety Connect 

• A digital platform for safety collaboration among aviation professionals.

• Includes features like the IOSA Registry, Safety Issue Hub, and resource libraries.

• Facilitates sharing of best practices, risk mitigation strategies, and safety-related documents.

• These programs aim to foster a global aviation safety community by leveraging data and collaboration

• The International Civil Aviation Organization’s Global Aviation Safety Plan which encourages the use of safety data and information sharing to identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.

• State Safety Programs: These programs require member states to establish mechanisms for collecting, analyzing, and sharing safety data.

Integrating all of these sources of aviation safety data ON A REAL TIME basis, may well further reduce global aviation  risks. 

In implementing these innovations, consideration must be given to easy transfer of the information collected by these sensors.  

Smart Sensors and AI: The Next Frontier in Aircraft Safety

By John Persinos | March 6, 2025 

In avionics, the integration of advanced sensor technologies is revolutionizing aircraft safety and performance. Two key innovations driving this trend are engine vibration diagnostics and “smart skins,” both of which are significantly enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI). 

ENGINE VIBRATION DIAGNOSTICS, once a niche technology used for monitoring wear and tear on engines, has evolved into a critical component of predictive maintenance. By installing vibration sensors on key engine components, engineers can monitor real-time conditions and detect potential issues before they lead to costly repairs or, worse, catastrophic failure. 

These sensors capture minute vibrations, which AI algorithms then process to identify patterns or deviations from normal behavior. This data is invaluable for maintenance crews, enabling them to perform targeted interventions that minimize downtime and extend the lifespan of the engine. 

The advent of smart skins… 

Meanwhile, smart skins represent a leap forward in aircraft performance. Smart skins in avionics refer to advanced, multifunctional materials integrated into the exterior surfaces of aircraft. These materials can detect, respond to, or adapt to environmental conditions, offering enhanced capabilities for monitoring, communication, and performance. Typically, smart skins involve technologies such as: 

Sensors: Embedded sensors that monitor various parameters, like temperature, pressure, strain, and vibration. These sensors can detect structural integrity, identify damage, or assess airflow around the aircraft. 

Self-healing Materials: Some smart skins are designed with materials that can heal themselves if they suffer minor damage, like cracks or punctures. This improves aircraft safety and reduces maintenance costs. 

Energy Harvesting: Smart skins can sometimes capture and store energy from the environment, such as solar energy, to power onboard systems. 

Communication: Certain smart skin technologies can function as antennas or communication devices, reducing the need for traditional external antennas. 

Adaptive Surfaces: Smart skins can change their shape or surface properties in response to external conditions, like aerodynamic adjustments, which can improve fuel efficiency and aircraft performance. 

This cutting-edge technology is still in development but has immense potential to revolutionize aviation by improving aircraft performance, maintenance, and safety. 

Real-time analysis… 

The integration of AI enhances this technology by enabling real-time analysis of airflow, pressure changes, and stress on the structure. This allows for immediate navigational adjustments to be made during flight, improving fuel efficiency and optimizing flight performance. 

AI plays a pivotal role in both of these advancements. By processing vast amounts of sensor data from various components across the aircraft, AI can IDENTIFY TRENDS, DETECT ANOMALIES, AND EVEN PREDICT POTENTIAL MALFUNCTIONS BEFORE THEY OCCUR. The result is not just enhanced safety but a more efficient flight experience overall. 

Together, engine vibration diagnostics and smart skin technologies powered by AI are setting new standards in aircraft performance. The ability to predict and respond to maintenance needs, coupled with optimized avionics, is reshaping the aviation industry’s approach to safety and operational efficiency. 

This article also appeared in our partner publication, Aircraft Value News. 

John Persinos is the editor-in-chief of Aircraft Value News.