The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionising industries worldwide. The number of connected devices is growing rapidly; the total in 2019 was 7,557.8 million; this year, it’s expected to reach 16,734.7 million; and in 2030, 28,908.7 million. Consumer devices account for the majority of these figures but the growth is steady across industries.
The global IoT in aviation market was worth USD 6.7 billion in 2022 and is forecast to reach USD 46.1 billion by 2032. This new paradigm is enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and passenger experience. Aviation stakeholders are therefore using it to gain strategic differentiation while there’s still time to get ahead.
From connected aircraft to beacon technology in airports, this article explores the transformative impact of IoT in the industry.
IoT in Aircraft Maintenance
IoT is making a substantial impact in maintenance, helping improve safety and explore the inner workings of aircraft in new ways.
Data Collection and Predictive Maintenance
Sensors installed throughout aircraft can continuously monitor the condition of various components, including engines, collecting real-time data on their performance. This data is sent to ground control, where it can be fed into MRO software or a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) that assesses and predicts the health of aircraft systems.
IoT is therefore essential for predictive maintenance. Potential issues can be identified early and addressed before they escalate into serious problems, reducing the risk of safety issues.
Aircraft data is also used for analytics purposes. Maintenance teams can then optimise repair schedules and other processes, ultimately minimising downtime, thus maximising profitability.
(Your data is only useful if it’s properly managed – that’s where OASES shines.)
Digital Twins
Digital twins are virtual representations of physical systems, used extensively in various industries to simulate, analyse, and optimise systems and processes. Real-time analysis helps maintenance teams prioritise tasks based on the actual condition of aircraft components, rather than on predefined schedules. But digital twin technology achieves more than standard predictive maintenance.
Digital twins serve as advanced training tools for maintenance personnel, offering a safe and effective environment for technicians to familiarise themselves with new aircraft models, technologies, and maintenance procedures.
They can simulate various scenarios, including system failures, allowing technicians to practice troubleshooting and repair procedures without the risk of damaging actual aircraft. This hands-on experience with virtual models enhances the skill set of the maintenance workforce, leading to improved efficiency and safety in real-world operations.
Asset Tracking
IoT can significantly enhance asset management strategies. Using RFID tags, airlines and MROs can track assets such as parts and tools, providing real-time data on their location and status.
This visibility is crucial as it allows organisations to track critical components and tools across various locations, whether they’re on the hangar floor, in storage, or in transit. As such, personnel can ensure that the right tools and parts are available at the right time and place, reducing the likelihood of operational delays.
RFID tagging also helps in automating inventory counts, reducing the need for manual checks, which are time-consuming and prone to errors. Automated inventory management also helps in maintaining accurate records of available assets, facilitating timely restocking and reducing excess inventory.
How Does IoT Improve Aircraft Fuel Efficiency?
The industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, and IoT is contributing to these efforts by enabling more fuel-efficient operations. There are several ways it achieves this, as outlined below.
Aerodynamic Efficiency
As we mentioned earlier, deploying sensors throughout aircraft enables predictive maintenance. Sensors can monitor factors affecting aerodynamic efficiency, such as the condition of the aircraft’s exterior surfaces. This data can prompt maintenance activities like cleaning or repairs that reduce aerodynamic drag, thereby improving fuel efficiency.
Flight Optimisation
Data from various sources, including weather conditions, air traffic, and aircraft performance, can help optimise flight paths for fuel efficiency (for example, adjusting altitude or speed in response to real-time weather data). Similarly, IoT can facilitate more efficient air traffic management, reducing unnecessary fuel burn during taxiing, take-off, and landing.
Load Optimisation
IoT data can help determine the most fuel-efficient load configurations or identify unnecessary equipment that can be removed or replaced with lighter alternatives.
Fuel Management Systems
Advanced IoT-based fuel management systems can monitor and analyse fuel usage across the fleet, identifying trends and inefficiencies in consumption. These systems can provide recommendations for fuel-saving strategies, such as adjusting flight plans or improving maintenance schedules.
Improving Air Traffic Management
IoT is also playing a pivotal role in air traffic management by facilitating the flow of information between aircraft and ground control. Connected devices provide real-time data on aircraft positions, weather conditions, and potential hazards, enabling more precise and efficient routing of flights.
This enhanced situational awareness helps to reduce delays, optimise airspace usage, and improve fuel efficiency, as mentioned.
As the volume of air traffic continues to grow, so will the importance of IoT in managing the complexity involved.
How Does IoT Streamline Airport Operations?
Airports are complex systems with many moving parts. IoT is streamlining airport operations by enabling better coordination and management of these components.
Baggage and Cargo Tracking
Baggage and cargo handling systems equipped with RFID tags are used to track luggage and cargo in real time, reducing the chances of lost or delayed baggage and improving passenger satisfaction. Customers can check the location of their luggage using apps, for the ultimate peace of mind.
Enhancing Ground Safety
IoT devices can monitor environmental conditions on runways and taxiways, providing critical information that can help prevent accidents and delays caused by adverse weather.
Security and Surveillance
IoT-enabled surveillance devices can enhance airport security. For example, connected CCTV cameras (especially those with AI-powered video analytics) can detect unusual/suspicious activity at security checkpoints and alert the appropriate personnel automatically.
Environmental Monitoring
Airports can use sensors to gather data on environmental variables including air quality and emissions. This helps them to comply with environmental regulations and make plans to reduce their carbon footprint.
Managing Passenger Footfall
Beacon technology, which uses small Bluetooth radio transmitters to send signals to nearby smart devices, offers a promising solution for managing passenger footfall in airports. There are many use-cases, as outlined below.
Navigation
Airports can be complex and challenging to navigate, especially for first-time visitors, in large airports, or in situations where quick gate changes occur. Beacons placed throughout an airport can interact with mobile applications on passengers’ smartphones, providing them with real-time navigation. This can help distribute passenger footfall more evenly across the airport, reducing congestion in certain areas and guiding passengers along less crowded routes.
Emergency Management
In case of emergencies, beacon technology can play a crucial role in crowd control and evacuation, enhancing overall safety. For example, passengers can receive real-time instructions and be directed to the nearest exits.
Queue Management
Beacons can monitor and analyse real-time data on queue lengths and wait times at security checkpoints, immigration, and boarding gates. By informing passengers about current wait times via a mobile app, airports can encourage them to adjust their paths or timings, effectively improving passenger flow. This information can also be used by management to allocate staff more efficiently based on real-time demand.
Improved Boarding Processes
The boarding process can be streamlined using beacons. Passengers can be notified on when to start heading to their gates based on their current location, which can prevent the last-minute rush of passengers to the gate, ensuring a smoother and more organised boarding process.
Enhanced Passenger Services
Beacons can facilitate personalised services, such as directing passengers to nearby lounges, restaurants, or retailers based on their location, preferences, and loyalty program status. This can also manage the spread of passengers i.e., by distributing special offers or highlighting less crowded dining and shopping options. Nobody wants to scramble around looking for a seat in a crowded airport café, so passengers benefit twofold.
Data Analysis
The data collected from beacons can provide valuable insights into passenger behaviour and footfall patterns. This can help airports identify peak times, common routes, and congestion points, informing long-term strategies for infrastructure development, staff scheduling, and the placement of services and amenities.
The Challenges Ahead
Despite its transformative potential, the integration of IoT into aviation operations has its challenges. Cybersecurity is a significant concern, as the increase in digitisation and connected devices expands the attack surface for potential threats. Ensuring the security and privacy of the vast amounts of data being transmitted and stored is paramount.
The industry must also overcome regulatory, technical, and infrastructure hurdles to fully leverage IoT. This includes updating legacy systems, ensuring interoperability between new and existing technologies, and navigating the complex regulatory environment of the sector.
Conclusion
The Internet of Things is transforming aviation operations in profound ways, driving improvements in safety, efficiency, and passenger experience.
It enables predictive maintenance, making problems easier to detect. As such, maintenance teams don’t need to simply wait for scheduled inspections to reveal potential issues. It also streamlines airport operations, improves air traffic management, improves marketing within airports, and contributes to sustainability by optimising fuel efficiency and energy use within airports.
OASES manages the endless Terabytes your aircraft generate and provides state-of-the-art, end-to-end solutions for all your maintenance needs. To learn more, contact us today to book a demo.
