Build Aircraft Configuration – A summary of the activity

Configuration represents the structure of the equipment. In the case of aircraft, configuration is the hierarchy of the position codes and part numbers representing the various systems of the aircraft. The logical structure is the representation of the skeleton of the aircraft as a maintainable asset. Components can be fitted to the position codes, depending on the various rules defined for the position codes.

This logical structure, depicting the skeleton of the aircraft, is basically defined at the aircraft model level. The aircraft registration numbers associated to the model can inherit these logical structures. Once inherited, the logical structure becomes an independent entity for that particular aircraft, which means, the structure can be modified without affecting the structure from where it was inherited.

Once the logical configuration is defined for the aircraft, the rotables can be attached to the position codes of the logical structure. When the rotables are attached, the configuration depicts the actual structure of the aircraft and can be referred as the physical configuration.

The following two events affect the physical configuration of the aircraft:

• Rotable replacement: When a rotable replacement is performed, the change is posted in the respective position holder.

• Engineering Change: An engineering change can result in a change of the part number of the rotable that is currently attached to the position codes.

This activity allows you to define or modify the configuration details of an aircraft. Aircraft configuration is uniquely identified using the aircraft registration number, aircraft model, configuration class and the revision number combination. Aircraft configuration can undergo multiple revisions. The changes made to the aircraft configuration can be tracked using the revision number.

Getting familiar with the pages inside

What you can do in this activity

Specify configuration details

Define position codes in the aircraft configuration

Associate equipment category to position codes

Attach component to aircraft configuration

Identify piece part list for model configuration

Define configuration specific intermixing rules

Identify ETOP twins for part numbers in model configuration

Identify interchangeable rules

Specify additional information

Identify permissible serial numbers

Specify configuration details

• Use the “Select Aircraft” page to select an aircraft for which the configuration detials must be entered.

• Use the “Build Aircraft Configuration” page to enter the configuration details.

Define position codes in the aircraft configuration

The position codes are the identifiers of the physical locations in the aircraft structure, where rotables can be fitted. These position codes help in tracking the history of the rotables attached to them at various points in time.

• Go to “Build Aircraft Configuration Information” page.

• Enter the position code associated to the aircraft configuration in the “Position Code” field.

Associate equipment category to position codes

You can identify the category of the cabin equipment that can be attached to the position code in the aircraft.

• Go to “Build Aircraft Configuration” page.

• Select the requisite equipment category from the “Equipment Category” drop-down list box.

Attach component to aircraft configuration

You can attach components to the position codes in the aircraft configuration to enable easy tracking and interchange of the components. You can attach a component to the position code only when the position code does not have any other component attached to it.

• Use the “Edit Aircraft Readiness Log” page allows you to attach the rotables to the position codes for which the rotable fitment history has not been defined.

Identify piece part list for model configuration

You can identify piece parts for the aircraft configuration. Among the various part numbers associated or fitted to the aircraft, certain parts are identified as piece parts, which are defined in “Part Administration” business component. The position code details for the piece parts identified in the model can also be entered.

• Use the “Edit Piece Part List for Aircraft” page to specify the piece part required for the model configuration.

• Use the “Edit Piece Part Position Information” page to enter the position details for the piece parts.

Define configuration specific intermixing rules

The intermixing rule defines the list of dependent position codes and the dependent part numbers for the reference position code and the reference part number. The rule depicts the dependencies that exist among the various position codes in a aircraft, with respect to the part numbers that can be fitted in them. In other words, the intermixing rule states that, whenever the reference part number is fitted in the reference position code, the dependent position codes must have the associated dependent part numbers fitted in them.

• Use the “Edit Position Attributes” page to select the reference position code.

• Use the “Edit Part Intermixing Rules" page to define the intermixing rule for the reference position code.

Identify ETOP twins for part numbers in model configuration

ETOP twin position codes are the position codes that are parallel to a reference position code. This rule restricts any maintenance activity being carried out simultaneously in the reference position code and the twin position code. This is required to govern the reliability of aircraft while performing ETOP.

• Use the “Edit Position Attributes” page to select the reference position code.

• Use the “Edit ETOP Twin Positions” page to define the ETOP twin position codes for the reference position code.

Identify interchangeable rules

The parts interchangeability rule defines the list of alternate part numbers that can be placed in the reference position code, in place of the reference part number, if the reference part number is not available.

• Use the “Edit Position Attributes” page to select the reference position code for which alternate part numbers must be defined.

• Use the “Edit Part Interchangeability Rules” page to define the alternate part numbers for the reference part number.

Specify additional information

• Use the “Edit Notes” page to specify the additional information pertaining to aircraft configuration.

Identify permissible serial numbers

You can identify the serial numbers that are allowed or restricted in the aircraft configuration.

• Use the “Edit Permitted Serial # List” page to define the permitted serial number information for the aircraft configuration.