EDORA ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION FOR REGIONAL AIRCRAFT · An aircraft is so very much a moving asset that its technical documentation must also be at your fingertips and be always available,

Dear Readers,

Technical documentation is a key support area for safe and effective operations and it deserves continuous focus and development effort.To offer maximum convenience when working with operational documentation, over the last two years, ATR has performed a development work to make technical publications available in electronic formatting. We named this project EDORA.

You might think of it as being a fairly straight forward initiative, yet it involves sophisticated software elaboration. The dedicated work group ensured they were in interaction with EASA. The team ensured compliance with diverse reference frameworks, aviation regula-tory aspects but also performed depth analysis and risk management studies. As they proceeded through digitalisation options, they also had to protect the integrity of the data

between the old and new generation formats. Weighted corporate choices were made, to ensure long term and robust operational easiness.

Very much user-oriented, EDORA is indeed of high support to you in operational terms. It facilitates data flows, enables savings on paper printing, energy and archiving spaces; it reduces the potential for human error; it is a real time saver.

About to be released in several implementation phases, the ATR EDORA program merits full presentation in a special edition… as well as your special attention.

Lilian BrayleSenior Vice-President product support & services

THE ATR PRODUCT SUPPORT & SERVICES NEWSLETTER

ATR

January 2015

EDORA ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION FOR REGIONAL AIRCRAFT

As have other airframers done before us, we have come to the conclusion that the management of information is, should, and would be done more and more through Internet and other new technologies. An aircraft is so very much a moving asset that its technical documentation must also be at your fingertips and be always available, when and where required. Since 1999, XML has become the standard of document exchanges. ATR has chosen the Aeronautical Standard ATA 2300 “Data exchange standard for flight operations” for the migration of its operational documentation.One of the main interesting features of the XML format is that it separates “information content” from

“formatting”. The same data source can therefore be displayed in many different layouts for customisation purposes and from a variety of viewing platforms, such as standard PCs or on-board EFBs. Another great working principle of XML is that information is managed not by page but by units of consistent content, named “data modules” (DMs). Applicability is no longer expressed in page sequencing but in well-defined data modules. Page numbering for each DM is then handled automatically by the Viewer, the documentation display software.A list of effective data modules (LEDM) will be made available in the preliminary pages of each EDORA manual, in replacement of the current list of effective pages (LEP).

This special newsletter of FIT brings you up to speed on the many advantages the availability of EDORA is about to offer, together with the inherent practical changes it implies in your use of operational documentation. It details the product § support offer itself, including its implementation schedule, and in sufficient detail for you to appreciate the program’s impact on your internal organisation and habits. Finally, it answers some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the matter of dematerialisation of publications.

One might be tempted to see in EDORA just a straight forward addition of IT intelligence, a different “brain” for data computation and production of Flight Operational manuals. It is much more than that. EDORA encompasses the reshaping of all of the processes and tools currently in hand – for referencing, content management, search and sort modes, hyperlinks, downloads, customisation in xml format, data transfers, extended information, revision cycles, etc.

In other words, EDORA will rule right across ATR’s Technical Publishing activity, embracing the

integration of new live IT solutions, the management of the single orders or comprehensive subscriptions that trigger the generation and dispatch, of the end-user’s new documentation, in various hard or soft media forms.

Deployment sequence is in two phases starting 2015. During Phase One in 2015, flight operations manuals will become universally available in .pdf format. During Phase Two in 2016, .xml formatting plus a new browser will exist, in addition to the continued availability of .pdf deliveries. And of course, extension work on EDORA will continue beyond 2016.

FOREWORD

IN BACKGROUND TO EDORAA few words about XML

Display of data module applicability

Example of a page containing 3 data modules


Structure of EDORA manualsThe structure of all manuals has been reviewed in order to ensure cross homogeneity. New manual sections have been created, other have been displaced to finally ensure that the same information will be found at the same place whatever the manual.

Improvements from template modificationsProject EDORA was an ideal opportunity for the betterment of documentation lay-outs, structure and contents. A full and thorough review was undertaken, prior to the decision of migrating all manuals to .xml formatting, as per the illustrations below.

> AFM structure corresponds to FCOM one.> MMEL has been divided in two parts.

- MOP: contains the dispatch items and associated operational procedures, (if any) to improve analysis.- MMP: contains the maintenance procedures directly accessible from the “condition status table”.

> Within the QRH, procedures have been organized by theme and numbered for easier reference.> WBM structure has been redefined to include Limitations and Descriptions sections.

MMEL display change

STRUCTURE OF MANUALS

FCOM structure change FCOM structure has first been slightly adapted to be closer to airlines Ops. manual; others manuals structure being then reviewed correspondingly.

Wording and displayWording has been fully reviewed for implementation of the Airbus GOLD rules (Guidelines for Operational Language in Documents) and uniformity in cockpit-labelling. Abbreviations have been standardised (e.g., from now on ACFT will be used for aircraft). Colour will be introduced and there will be a possibility to insert airline logos to customise the manuals. AFM data and AD content will be clearly identifiable.

Homogenisation between aircraft versionsFCOM / Systems content and all procedures (AFM/ FCOM/QRH) have been compared between aircraft versions and standardised, wherever possible.

Emergency / Abnormal proceduresAFM/FCOM/QRH Procedures have all been reviewed regarding consistency, wording and content based on the CAA Safety Regulation Group study ref: CAP 676 and following a comparative study of other manufacturers. So far, the vast majority of emergency procedures has been analysed, adjusted when necessary and tested on simulator by ATR flight test and training pilots for immediacy of comprehension. Abnormal procedures will also be reviewed, progressively and after EDORA’s phase 1.

Normal proceduresTask sharing has been introduced on normal procedures that have been compared against the FCTM and adjusted when relevant.

Formatting ProceduresATR has decided to implement the following rules for displaying Procedures, see illustration “New procedures display”: - Memory items will be framed with double-lines - Actions will be introduced by a triangle - Conditions will be preceded by a square- “Caution” will be displayed in amber and caution

messages will be boxed - “ Warning” will be displayed in red and caution

messages will be written in upper case letters, and boxed.

- “Caution” and “Warning” will be visually attached to their corresponding actions if appropriate; they will be written above the action descriptions so as to allow the pilot to possess all the relevant information prior to executing the required actions.

CONTENT OF MANUALS

New Procedures display


EDORA DEPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT

2014 2015 2016

Flight operations manuals will be available (upon subscription) in both .pdf and .xml formats along with a new documentation browser available on the ATR web portal, stand-alone PCs or on board EFBs.

Phase 1 Phase 2Phase 1 is scheduled for 2015. Flight operations manuals will be made available in a single .pdf file per manual. Preliminary manuals will be delivered 3 months ahead of the manuals official releases. That way, any needed contacts with your local Authorities will be made possible early on. The reshaping of internal processes could also be studied in advance for your organisation to cope with and integrate the newly available electronic distribution options. Dedicated and comprehensively explanatory booklets on all documentation changes are being produced by ATR in order to facilitate your appropriation of the new manuals.

3 months, to be agreed with Local Authorities

3 months, to be agreed with Local Authorities

Q2 2015MMELWBM

Q4 2015AFMFCOMQRH

MMEL / WBMAFM / FCOMQRH

Phase 1: PDF

Phase 2: XML/Viewer

http://

Deployment is sequenced in two phases.

1

4

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1. PHASE 1: DELIVERIESThe EDORA Operations Manuals will be distributed in electronic format on CD-ROMs containing one or several manuals (single .pdf file type -phase 1- or encrypted .xml -phase 2-, per manual). E-manuals will also be available for download from the ATR website (.pdf or encrypted .xml). For every documentation update, the e-manual will be redelivered in its entirety. Hardcopies will still be available by request and as an option. Differentials will also be available by request and as an option. Should the paper format be selected as the hardcopy format, then only the differentials shall be distributed after having purchased the initial set. By special request, subscriptions will also be available for both the complete manuals and the differential updates, both types of files being delivered on the same CD-ROM. Please refer to: Product offer

2. PHASE 2: PROCESSING-INEDORA e-manuals will supersede the current ATR operational manuals, due to the number of changes in document structure, format and content, as previously explained. If you manage your own operational documentation – which is true for your MEL at least – and with the help of our explanatory booklets, you will need to analyse the changes in order to incorporate the modifications within your own manuals, which will impact crew training and daily operations. If you are using the ATR operational documentation “as is”, the changes will also need to be analysed for implementation in your operations, just like you do with your existing documentation revision practices.

3. PHASE 3: DISTRIBUTIONIf your own customised hardcopies are stored then no impact is to be foreseen on your distribution process. If ATR hardcopies are still used, and since applicability will be directly readable through aircraft MSN information, dispatching relevant pages will be easier than with the current method which necessitates a pre-analysis of modification applicability. EDORA is the opportunity for you go for electronic distribution means. Dispatching is facilitated since one manual corresponds to one file, a fact which further increments data integrity.

4. PHASE 4: CONSULTATIONNew formatting plus the inclusion of specific notes, word standardisation, use of colours, etc., make document consultations much more user-friendly, self-evident and faster. There will be hyperlinks to authorize intuitive navigation intra manual (phase 1) and inter manuals (phase 2).Moreover, DM applicability will be directly readable in relation to MSNs. You will have full use of .xml functionalities, such as MSN data module sorting from fleet manuals, layout activation etc. once the specific viewer to be developed during phase 2 is completed.

During the transition phase, ATR will support you for the deployment of your new manuals. Customer Liaison Directors and the Flight-Ops Support Team - [email protected] - will be your dedicated contacts for any questions and for assistance on the implementation of EDORA. General presentations and specific workshops will be organised during the work-in progress stages and beyond the releases phases of EDORA manuals.

Supporting EDORA

EDORA’s effects on documentation practicesBased on standard airline management practices for operational documentation, we have carefully considered how the introduction of new e-documentation with EDORA will impact our Operators.


EDORA PRODUCT OFFER The ATR flight operations product offer has been revised to take into account the additional EDORA features available to ATR Operators. There will be a “standard package” on offer, to which selected options can be added later on. The standard package will remain unchanged during phases 1 and 2. It encompasses:

- All operations manuals (AFM, MMEL, FCOM, QRH, CCOM and WBM) in .pdf format- Fleet manuals, i.e. manuals applicable to all MSNs/registrations of aircraft variants - Applicability by MSN/registration for each Data Module - One revision service per year- Colour, operator’s logo and name on the manuals

Some options are to be selected for all the manuals (additional revision service, for example) while other options can be selected only for some of the manuals (extra CD-ROM copies, manuals in paper format in addition to the CD-ROM, etc.). Changes to selected options are possible at subscription renewal time, or at any time in-between, in accordance with the applicable price catalogue.

STANDARD PACKAGE OPTIONS COMMENTS

FORMATRich .pdf with hypertext and search function,

colourEncrypted .xml (EDORA phase 2)

MEDIA1 .pdf CD-ROM copy

Download from ATR websiteExtra CD-ROM copies

Manuals in paper formatOption valid for all or for some manuals

APPLICABILITY OF MANUALS

Aircraft variant (or «alias») MSN (EDORA phase 2)Equivalent to current “Fleet” ManualOption valid for all or some manuals

DATA MODULE APPLICABILITY

MSN Registration or FSN Option valid for all manuals

REVISION NUMBER

One normal revision service per year

Additional revisions on request (e.g. Aircraft movement)

Option valid for all manualsIf applicable, intermediate revisions will be

generated including SB embodiments

REVISION DELIVERY

Complete .pdf manual

Delta (only revised DMs)

Complete encrypted .xml manual (EDORA phase 2)

If the paper option has been selected only the revised section - delta - will be

produced.

COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

Operator’s logo and nameATR’s logo by default, if the operator’s

logo is unavailable

Which manuals will be kept in paper format at new aircraft delivery time? The aircraft cockpit sets will be kept in paper format for new aircraft deliveries. Manuals will then not been updated through hardcopies, unless option is selected by the operator.

Will there be a restriction in the number of paper copies for each manual? The printing of every manual will be under your responsibility (if you choose to stay with the basic CD-ROM distribution choice). You will be able to issue as many copies as needed using your own printing means.

Will FCOM and QRH releases be synchronised with AFM releases?No, releases will be kept independent. FCOM/QRH releases coming after AFM releases (approved manual released first) but delay will be significantly reduced since Data Modules, especially for Procedures, between the manuals are identical.

Will my operational documentation be quickly updated following SB implementations? The integration of any SB modification into documentation will be automatically processed upon formal receipt of SB completion, which you are invited to send in as soon as SB embodiment is complete. You will later receive Manual Updates in accordance with the options you have selected.

How will Temporary Revisions (TRs). be delivered? There will be no change compare to the current TR process. Changes between two normal revisions will be treated as intermediate revisions. Airlines will receive only delta (electronic or paper).

Will ATR help airlines distribute their documentation? Work is in progress to offer mobile device content management which would be compliant with both the ATR Performance Software (SPS, Single-point Performance Software) and EDORA manuals.

Will it be possible to insert STC information or airline specificities in the ATR manuals? Initially, the delivery of manuals will be in .pdf non-editable structured files. You will however be able to

manipulate content with the “copy and paste” function in order to create different specific documents. Document integration of airline specificities will remain under your responsibility, as it currently is.

Will it be possible to keep our current MEL format?Since your MEL is approved by your local Aviation Authorities, the decision is to be agreed with them. You may already have an MEL that differs from the ATR MMEL.

Will the EDORA program impact my operations and pilots’ training? Yes. The normal, abnormal and emergency procedures have been reviewed. Task sharing has been introduced on normal procedures. Part of the abnormal and emergency procedures has been rewritten for clarification purposes. Some of the checklist actions have been reorganised. As for any document revision, changes arising out of the EDORA program will need to be analysed for future insertion into the pilots’ daily operations and training programs.

How long will I have to integrate the EDORA changes into my own documentation? Timeframe for implementation is determined by your local Authorities who will continue to approve your Operating Manuals.

Will there be an easy way to spot all of the changes in the .pdf formatted versions? At beginning of each manual, there will be the list of revised data modules, together with the reason(s) for the revision(s). This list will contain hyperlinks for direct access to the revisions.

Will I be able to view EDORA documents on my EFB? .pdf manuals will be displayed via a standard .pdf viewer. During EDORA phase 2, a specific EFB viewer will be developed to allow consultation of .xml documents. The viewer, an extension of the ATR website, will be adapted to suit cockpit application design rules and comply with the ATR performance application (SPS – Single-point Performance Software) design) already available for Windows and iOS based platforms.

What is the advantage of choosing an .xml viewer over a .pdf one?.pdf consultation is static whereas .xml consultation can be in dynamic mode: e.g. enable/disable different levels of information, select only one MSN to be displayed from the fleet based documentation, etc. An .xml viewer will allow full use of .xml functionalities Data Module.

Will the ATR .xml documentation be compatible with other .xml viewers?ATR .xml is compatible with ATA specification 2300. Therefore ATR .xml documentation could be displayed with any ATA 2300 specification viewer. However ATR .xml documentation has its own additional ATA 2300 specificity, leading to improved displays. Those functionalities will be allowed for in the ATR viewer, but may not be in other .xml viewers.

Will I be able to use the ATR .xml viewer to display my operating manuals? It should be possible if your Operating Manual are ATA specification 2300 compliant.

Will there be other manuals impacted by the EDORA program development ?CCOM (Cabin Crew Operating Manual) and AC (Aircraft Characteristic) will be converted to EDORA formatting.

Who should I contact for information and support during the EDORA transition phases? You can use your usual contacts, flight-ops support team at [email protected] and your appointed Customer Liaison.

© ATR. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.This document shall not be reproduced or disclosed to a third party without the written consent of ATR.This document and its content shall not be used for any purpose other than that for which it is supplied.ATR, its logo, the distinctive ATR aircraft profiles and patented information relating to the ATR aircraft are the exclusive property of ATR and are subject to copyright. This document and all information contained herein are the sole property of ATR. No intellectual property right is granted through, or induced by, the delivery of this document or the disclosure of its content. The statements made herein do not constitute an offer or a representation. They are based on the mentioned assumptions and are expressed in good faith.

CUSTOMERS’ FAQ CORNER

In order to ease the preparation of your

change management actions (internally,

with Local Authorities or others),

ATR will issue you with “pre-release”

versions of operational manuals;

this will be done three months prior

to releasing definitive versions to you.

Changes will be fully documented and

explained in a dedicated booklet -identical

to the one used for the EASA Review

Process - which will be enclosed with

each pre-release.
