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FEATURE XXXXXXXXX XXXX
MRO TRENdS

LEFT: Immersive virtual reality
environments are being used by
researchers in the design of next
generation aircraft cockpits. Such
an effort offers more flexibility and
significant savings in cost and time
BOTTOM: Vincent Higgins,
CEO and founder of Houston-
basedOptech4D

saw more traffic than any other, with top instructions, the turbine’s repair history, and room. “Once the user says ‘expand’, the jet
executives, decision makers and buyers 3D images of the turbine and component engine ‘explodes into component parts that
asking questions, requesting demos and parts readily available in their field of view,” can be viewed from all angles in the room,” said
beginning the buying process,” said Higgins. said Higgins. “If they need assistance, they Higgins. “You can walk around it, look inside,
“We even had members of the Air Force can engage with an expert back in the office and even rotate it.” According to Higgins, the
demoing our products.” In a sign that the using a video call while still on the tarmac or company also has applications that allow
company expects a surge in interest from within the hangar.” technicians to select component parts to
MRO companies for its technologies, The technology can work wonders in identify subsequent training manuals, work
Optech4D has signed up with major US- training as well, believes Higgins. “Imagine instructions, and documentation specific to
based university that offers aerospace and having individual or team based training and that part. There is also the option of ordering
MRO technology research. The intent is to competency assessments whereby trainees replacement parts by selecting a component
deliver applications that are tailor-made can perform maintenance and repair on all and having the AR technology integrated
for the aviation industry. “The partnership different kinds of turbines in a virtual world,” with their order management system.
gives us real and practical feedback to he said. “Training can also include scenarios
ensure our technology is ready to meet the that are very difficult or too expensive Time for Change
upcoming demands of the aviation industry,” to recreate today.” One of the company’s The MRO industry continues to be paper-
said Higgins. “Many of the graduates of this demonstrations using AR technology include driven, but experts do not see that lasting
program go on to substantive roles with having a jet engine placed in the middle of a much longer as electronic alternatives make
airlines, manufacturers and MRO firms. The their way into the market. The use of VR
aviation industry overseas is quite receptive and AR in maintenance training as well as
to leveraging new technology, especially in in real situations will help eliminate human
expanding markets “ error to a great extent and get work done
faster, thus resulting in significant cost
How Does it Work? savings, they say. ICF International vice-
Virtual reality helps replicate an aircraft in president Jonathan Berger, who has more
a virtual setting. This enables technicians than 25 years of aviation maintenance and
to access instructions and diagrams on engineering experience, including 14 years
iPad or smart phone, instead of having to in the maintenance division at Delta Airlines,
carry around an old-fashioned manual. It believes that the time for such technology
also gives them the ability to interact with has come. Virtual reality has the potential to
colleagues while working remotely. “Imagine drastically alter existing training processes,
technicians having the ability to walk up to a he said while speaking on MRO market trends
jet engine and having he maintenance work at MRO Europe last year. There were more
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