Company's 747 Freighter Fleet Already Utilizes The Service

UPS will expand its Boeing's Airplane Health Management (AHM) coverage to include its MD-11 Freighter fleet in addition to the 747-400 Freighter fleet. AHM is an information-driven system that helps airlines better prepare and manage unscheduled maintenance events. The expanded agreement covers 38 MD-11 Freighters and 13 747-400 Freighter and Boeing Converted Freighter airplanes.

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"AHM allows aircraft maintenance personnel to be prepared to work unexpected aircraft exceptions when the aircraft arrives and will greatly streamline our operation," said Warren Johnson, vice president, Maintenance and Engineering, UPS Airlines, in a news release Tuesday. "This will help increase the fleet's on-time performance which is a great benefit to our customers," said Mitch Nichols, UPS Airlines president.

The large UPS freighters will feature the AHM Real Time Fault Management Module, which communicates in-flight information to ground stations for diagnosis and real-time operational decisions, using troubleshooting and historical fix success data. The airline uses this information to organize any needed maintenance operations and position the necessary people, parts and equipment.

"Airlines need to have their aircraft generating revenue, so maintenance efficiency is an important initiative," said Dennis Floyd, vice president of Fleet Services for Commercial Aviation Services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "AHM delivers relevant information whenever and wherever it is needed while the airplane is still en route."

Airplane Health Management works through the MyBoeingFleet.com portal. Alerts and notifications are delivered to airline personnel through the Internet, fax, personal digital assistants, e-mail and pager services.

FMI: www.boeing.com