February 2010 - Indian Airforce

What if we have a database that has all the data
regarding each type of servicing due on the aircraft?
Only the progress of flying is then required to be entered
every day in to the database software. Once this is done,
the programme should generate reports for all possible
queries.
Some of the queries commonly required are as
follows
Dues for next 25 hrs, 50 hrs, 100 hrs etc.
Dues for next 30 days, 60 days etc.
No of a particular component changed in a
financial year.
Daily dues aircraft wise, component wise etc.
Presently, the reports for such queries would engage
the co-ordinator for a minimum of three hours, maybe
more. This time is required by the co-ordinator to go
through all these registers and patiently pen down all the
requisite information, and he being a human may miss
some !
If a software was programmed to generate results
for such queries it would reduce the burden on the coordinator
to a greater extent and if designed correctly
would generate accurate results. Software of similar
nature is also required in sections like refuelling, bomb
dump, armoury etc.
Standardised Software (The only Solution)
Availability of locally written software merits a
mention here. Thanks to the initiative of some dedicated
officers and airmen, such software is being used in few
units but since it is not standardised it doesn’t encompass
all activities and finds limited use.
Generally, such software remains in vogue only
till the person who designed it remains in the unit. The
only solution lies in the development of an open-ended
software required in these sections by a central agency
with inputs from the field personnel. Such software
developed with the user inputs should be standardised
and should be disseminated to all the units. Similarly we
can have software designed for use at Command and Air
HQ’s in the operations, maintenance and administration
branches to increase efficiency and reduce paper work.
Auditing of the Software Generated Reports
To meet the requirements of audit, certain reports
could be generated and filed.
The Flight Safety Angle
Such professionally developed and standardised
software in various sections of the air force will definitely
enhance flight safety. For example, in case of a snag in an
aircraft, the software could be used to analyse the snag,
repetition rate, if any, and the rectification done previously.
This will help the EO and technicians in rectifying the
aircraft faster and accurately. Study of repetitive snags
would also bring out the preventive measures to be
adopted to prevent recurrences of such snags.
Such an e-enabled data base management system in
every unit/section of the IAF would help in reducing the
work burden on the air warriors. This would contribute
towards increased work efficiency and act as an effective
counter for depleting manpower in sections.
Points to Ponder:
The time required to calculate the total runs scored
by Sachin Tendulkar during 1997-2000 at home excluding
the matches against Australia would invariably be less
than a few seconds by the data handlers.
Most of us can appreciate the time it would take to
calculate the number of aircraft sent back by the tyre
checkers from the runway end during the period say Jan
2008 to Jun 2009.
Need I say more !!!
Sqn Ldr RR Senthil Kumar AE(L) is posted to 33 Wing AF.
Psychiatrists say girls tend to
marry men like their fathers. That
is probably the reason mothers cry at
weddings.
Safety Journal February 1978
INDIAN AIR FORCE 2 01 0 F e b r u a r y Flight Safety 5