overview
The Electronic Flight Operations System (EFOS) has been designed and
developed in consultation with commercial airline pilots, cabin crew, managers and
national regulatory bodies. It encompasses software aimed at the automation of
most flight operations tasks, improved communications, electronic capture of
data and tools that allow for auditing/reporting/compliance of this information.
The system
consists of three unique and innovative applications.
- EFOS:Web - software and system architecture.
EFOS:Web is the foundation of the overall system. It can be used standalone
or integrated with other "back-office" databases and systems;
- EFOS:Efb - software as installed on a Tablet PC or compatible device.
EFOS:Efb is an optional component of EFOS;
- EFOS:Mobile - Smartphone technology to transmit vital data securely back
to the EFOS database. EFOS:Mobile is an optional component of EFOS.
Many of the existing processes that are replaced by EFOS are time consuming
and generally wasteful.
EFOS software provides a way for all applications, libraries and data to be
shared and synchronised across a global network. The application provides
managers, operations officers, flight planners, passenger service agents and
crew controllers with the tools they need to manage the day-to-day operation of
the airline and enhance customer service.
EFOS gives unprecedented access to the regulator for the purposes of
auditing. It encourages co-operation and openness in the relationship enjoyed by
the airline and the authority.
Cost & Operational Benefits of EFOS
Principally EFOS provides tools which contribute directly to lower
operating costs. In order to understand the potential financial benefits linked
to EFOS, a number of existing costs need to be identified and quantified by the
airline. Evoke Systems (as part of a wide-ranging feasibility study) conducted
an extensive analysis of the benefits and impact that EFOS implementation
can have on an airline's overheads.
The analysis looked at the costs and issues associated with the following:
- Improved flight planning and fuel conservation;
- Paper, printing and distribution;
- Customer quality reporting;
- Flight crew training (electronic records, analysis and ATQP);
- Crew records;
- Data transmission costs;
- Personal communications;
- Manpower;
- Operational, security and safety information distribution;
- Document storage and processing;
- Property rent and utility charges (associated with improved efficiency);
- Transport costs;
- Aircraft DOW;
- IT equipment;
- Environmental issues;
- Departmental administration & training;
- Internal communications;
- Data analysis;
- Scalability savings;
- On time performance.
In evaluating the business arguments the items above can be used to analyse
the cost of NOT adopting an EFOS type solution, predominantly with reference
to an airline's expansion plans.
A fuller description of Evoke Systems' findings
in these areas is available on request.