Creating Fault Codes – A summary of the activity

This component deals with codifying faults encountered during an airline operation. Any problem, which causes an aircraft to perform below its rated efficiency, is termed as “Fault”. You need to rectify the fault in the shortest time possible to circumvent long aircraft downtime. To rectify faults effectively and within the turn around time, you need to identify the faults, its possible causes and the correct remedial actions to eliminate the fault. Codification of faults helps in faster trouble shooting, organized fault analysis and reporting.

Faults encountered during airline operation are identified using a unique code. These fault codes are listed in a manual called Fault Isolation Manual, also known as Trouble-shooting Manual (TSM) in many airlines. Original equipment manufacturers provide airlines with copies of these manuals. Fault Codes are arranged under different ATA chapters in the fault isolation manual. A pilot or mechanic reports the faults in the journey log, technical log or maintenance report using the fault codes. Fault codes are broadly classified as given below:

• Observed Faults - Faults that affect the airworthiness of the aircraft. These type of faults are given importance as they affect the performance of the aircraft. Example of such a fault is “VHF#1 is inoperative.”

• Cabin Faults - Faults that do not affect the airworthiness of the aircraft. Example of such a fault is “Oven in mid galley not heating up.”

Fault codes are also categorized into two types as “OEM” and “Airline”. Faults, which are codified by the original equipment manufacturers, are “OEM” faults. However all faults cannot be identified and codified by the OEMs. A mechanic may encounter and rectify faults through experience gained over a period of time for which the fault code may not be available. These faults are also coded so that they can serve as a knowledge base. Such faults, which are codified by the airlines, are “Airline” faults.

Fault code can take four statuses in its life cycle:

• Fresh:    When the fault code is defined or created. Any modified fault code will also assume this status.

• Active:    A fault code status changes to “Active” after it is approved. Only active fault codes can be used by the business components while reporting faults.

• Inactive:    A fault code in “Inactive” status will not be available for use by the business components.

• Cancelled:    Fault code will assume this status after it is cancelled.

The different causes that are possible for the faults are also listed in the fault isolation manual. The causes are associated with the fault codes and specified in the maintenance report generated for attending a fault. A cause code can have two statuses, namely “Active” and “Inactive”. Inactive cause code will not be available for processing. You can create cause codes in the “Create Fault Codes” activity and modify cause codes in the “”Edit Cause Codes” activity.

Fault codes are associated with models and work units. Model effectivity information helps you to identify the aircraft model and the group of aircraft in that model for which the fault code is applicable. Work units are tasks or stored procedures that are performed to rectify the faults. You can modify the model effectivity and work unit details associated with the fault codes in this activity.

The “Select ATA chapter” page allows you to select the ATA chapter under which the fault code must be defined. The ”Create Fault Code” page enables you to create fault codes. The “Create Cause Code” page allows you to attach a cause code and a cause description against a fault code. The “Edit Model Effectivity” page helps you to update the aircraft model effectivity details for the fault code. The “Edit Cause Code” page enables you to update the cause code details for a fault code. The “Edit Work Units” page allows you to update work units, such as tasks and standard procedures, for a fault code.

Getting familiar with the pages inside

What you can do in this activity

Select ATA chapter and create a fault code under it

Specify model effectivity for the fault code

Associate work units with the fault code and cause code

Classify fault codes

Categorize fault codes

Select ATA chapter and create a fault code under it

Fault codes are listed under various ATA chapters in the Fault Isolation Manual.

• Use the “Select ATA Chapter” page to search and select the ATA chapter.

• Use the “Create Fault Code” page to create the fault code under the selected ATA chapter.

Specify model effectivity for the fault code

Model effectivity information helps you to identify the aircraft model and the group of aircraft in that model for which the fault code is applicable.

• Use the “Edit Model Effectivity” page to specify the aircraft model number and the aircraft in that model to which the selected fault code is applicable.

Associate work units with the fault code and cause code

Work units are tasks or stored procedures that are performed to rectify the faults. You can associate work units to a combination of fault code and cause code in this activity.

• Use the “Edit Fault Resolution Procedure” page to specify the tasks or standard procedures that you need to carry out to rectify a fault.

Classify fault codes

Faults, based on its origin, can be classified as “OEM” or “Airline”. Classify the fault code as “OEM”, if the fault is already described in the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEM) fault isolation manual. Classify the fault code as “Airline”, if an airline official codifies the fault.

• Go to “Create Fault Code” page.

• Select the appropriate option in the “Fault Code Type” drop-down list box, to classify the fault code as “OEM” or “Airline”.

Categorize fault codes

Faults, based on whether they affect the airworthiness of an aircraft or not, can be categorized as “Cabin” and “Observed” faults.

• Go to “Create Fault Code” page.

• Select the appropriate option in the “Fault Category” drop-down list box, to categorize fault codes as “Cabin” or “Observed”.