Flight Dept 2.qxp_Finance 22/03/2022 09:30 Page 1
FLIGHT DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT
Electronic Technical Logbooks: The Benefits Manual logbook entries are an onerous business, requiring much time and effort – so it’s hardly surprising that Electronic Technical Logbooks are increasing in popularity. But what are the specific benefits to Business Aviation operators? Mario Pierobon explores…
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lectronic Technical Logbooks (ETLs) have made their way into Business Aviation because of the need for business aircraft operators to streamline their operations and improve safety through more accurate technical records. An ETL is primarily the “digital pendant to an aircraft technical logbook”, and is used on an electronic device, such as a tablet computer or electronic flight bag, says Mona Stuenckel, Senior Director of Digital Solutions, Automation & Technology at Lufthansa Technik. “It covers all of the functionalities a paper logbook provides, like raising technical complaints, or tracking flight-related information.” To understand the ETL, it’s necessary to start from the definition of ‘Tech Log Page’ (TLP), according to Hayley Russell, Marketing Manager at Conduce Mobile Aviation Solutions. “The TPL is the legal and technical record of an aircraft’s status and must be completed for every flight sector. “This aircraft-specific book is printed in various copies. This is completed and signed by the pilot and engineer, and then a copy is ‘left on the ground’.” Older paper-based systems require copies to be scanned and emailed – or in some cases even faxed – 78 Vol 26 Issue 4 2022 AVBUYER MAGAZINE
back to base to be manually typed into the MRO or back-office system, Russell explains. “In this way the information from the TLP is then shared with the relevant departments. Illegible handwriting, errors and vital missing information all contribute to the inefficiency of this legacy process”, she highlights. “An ETL, such as Conduce’s eTechLog8, replaces the industry standard paper journey, technical, defect and cabin logbooks with an application on an electronic device.”
Benefits of ETLs
Lately, ETLs are being used increasingly by airline operators, air taxi operators, and, whenever possible, private operators, notes Continuing Airworthiness Manager Sara Zerbini. One reason is because it saves time to complete the documentation, since some fields can be automatically inserted. “Some systems allow operators to pre-fill the date and time without making mistakes, taking for example the date and time from the iPad or the electronic flight bag system,” Zerbini notes. The ETL is also convenient because it saves space, and there is no need to keep paper copies that require www.AVBUYER.com
