Active Projects
The following is an overview of ATA e-Business Program projects along with their status and links to their respective working groups/project teams.
Aircraft Transfer Records Project
Electronic Aircraft Records facilitate and lower the cost of transferring an aircraft, engine or other major component, for example at the end of a lease. The Aircraft Transfer Records Working Group (ATRWG) has developed Spec 2500, an industry standard XML formats for a number of “status reports” (information sets) which are typically provided including AD Status, Repair / Damage Status, Last Done Next Due Maintenance Status, Installed/Tracked Parts Status, SB / Mod status, Aircraft / Engine Status as well as an historic Event List. The working group has also developed an electronic Crate which allows metadata to be added to other document types such as PDFs ranging from certificates to “Dirty Fingerprint” (records of maintenance). The benefits of standardization of these records include higher accuracy due to less re-keying, lower cost and more rapid record review and easier transfer into the recipient’s system. Spec 2500, Version 2024.1 will be released in early 2024 and will include new Life Limited Part (LLP) History and Flight Summary Records. The current focus of the group is development of a Back-to-birth Component History data set (see below).
Visit the ATR Working Group to learn more or to join the effort.
Automated Identification and Data Capture (AIDC)
The AIDC group approved updates Spec 2000 Chapter 9. This specification includes bar-coded shipment labels, permanent part marking (bar-coding or data matrix) and RFID. The 2023.1 version included minor changes to the RFID specification, changes to bar-coding and permanent part marking to better align with RFID and the addition of a new RFID shipping / receiving tag format.
Visit the Automated Identification & Data Capture Working Group to learn more or to join the effort.
Component Digital History Project
The Aircraft Transfer Records Working Group, in conjunction with the Configuration Management Working Group and Repair Administration Working Group is beginning a new project to develop a “Component Passport” i.e. a digital history of the component, including birth information, various operating data, installs, removals, maintenance and change of ownership. A primary goal of this group is to facilitate a digital, industry standard for this data that often is requested by buyers or other key stakeholders in a variety of formats, and with inconsistent rules and requirements.
Visit the ATR Working Group to learn more or to join the effort.
Configuration Management
The Configuration Management Working Group (CMWG) is responsible for the global scope of Configuration Management concepts across all ATA e-Business Program specifications. This includes an overall harmonized Configuration Management data model and coordination with other working groups on pertinent topics.
CMWG accomplishments and ongoing projects include:
- CMWG published revision 2023.1. Changes in this revision include:
- Addition of Part Preference information to enable Allowed Parts to be flagged as preferred or undesirable based on operator requirements
- Completed mapping between ARINC 843 for Actual Software Part configuration against Spec 2400 for Allowable Software Part Configuration
- Updated the Package Organization to include Allowable Configuration in Modifications
- CMWG is meeting in January 2024 to continue development of enhancements to the process and guidance for validation of Allowable Configuration to Actual Configuration. Planned enhancements for revision 2024.1 include:
- Consolidating all validation guidance into a new chapter
- Defining the scope of parts to be included in the validation process
- Developing a new XML validation report for Allowable Configuration in Parts and Allowable Configuration in Modifications.
- CMWG continues to work with other ATA Working Groups to develop data exchange standards pertaining to multiple actual configuration use cases, such as:
- A rotable component “passport”
- A part and modification configuration validation report
- Reliability-based information for Allowable Configuration in Parts
Visit the Configuration Management Working Group to learn more or to join the effort.
Electric Air Vehicle Standard Numbering System
The ATA Technical Data Working Group (TDWG) Electric Air Vehicle Sub-Team (EAVST) was launched in November 2022 to evaluate the ATA Standard Numbering System (SNS) published in ATA iSpec 2200 and the S1000D Air Vehicles, Engines, and Equipment SNS for potential changes to support the unique requirements of electrically powered aircraft in the Civil Aviation industry.
The EAVST proposal to the S1000D Steering Group has been approved and will be published in S1000D issue 6, planned for release in 2nd quarter this year. The changes include the following:
- Revised definitions for System 24-30 (DC Generation) and 24-40 (External Power)
- A new System 68 for Integrated Flight Control and Propulsion Control (IFPCS)
- A new System 72 for Engine Electric
- A new System 87 for Propulsion Battery
No corresponding changes to the ATA iSpec 2200 SNS are planned at this time but will be considered if the need is identified.
Visit the Technical Data Working Group to learn more or join the effort.
Information Security Standards
The ATA Digital Security Working Group (DSWG) is currently working on changes to be included in the 2024.1 revision of Spec 42 to bring it up to date with recent advancements and industry standards.
Visit the Digital Security Working Group to learn more or join the effort.
Information Standards for Flight Operations Data
The ATA Flight Operations Working Group (FOWG) published revision 2023.1 of Spec 2300, Information Standards for Flight Operations. Changes in this revision include:
- New guidance for use of applicability for non-aircraft related content
- A new XML Standard Qualifiers Repository
- New guidance for Operations Manual Part C
- Added Units of Measure to the XML Common Repository
Maintenance Execution Standards
The Maintenance Execution Working Group (MEWG), has developed a specification for exchange of maintenance work packages focused on data exchange between operators and maintenance providers. Spec 2000 Chapter 18 Work Package includes formats for submittal of work packages, work orders, job cards, tasks, resource data, and other related items from the operator to the maintenance organization and return back of maintenance completion records, findings, deferrals, etc. The 2023.1 revision is focused on transactional exchange of Work Package additions, removals, changes, findings and approvals during the maintenance visit. The MEWG is also responsible for maintenance of the Electronic Technical Logbook specification which is published in Spec 2000 Chapter 17.
Visit the Maintenance Execution Working Group to learn more or to join the effort.
Maintenance Execution – Task Data Standard
The Maintenance Execution Working Group Task Sub-team is developing a specification for a fully digital executable maintenance task, allowing both manufacturer tasks and operator tasks to be developed into a format which can be provided to Maintenance Providers from Operator, and subsequently be used to collect information such as measurements, findings and signatures and returned from the Maintenance Provider to Operator. An additional goal is to allow these electronic tasks to be acceptable to regulators and lessors as the actual records of maintenance to replace paper/PDF.
Visit the Maintenance Execution Working Group to learn more or to join the effort.
Provisioning Data
The Provisioning Working Group (PWG) has been inactive, but there has been recent interest in developing new XML based provisioning standards, to better exchange data for establishing planned inventory and related information, particularly on new aircraft types.
Please contact the ATA e-Business Program if you are interested in participating in this effort.
Regulatory Documentation
The Regulatory Documentation Working Group (RDWG) monitors FAA Form 8130-3 and EASA Form 1 to ensure Spec 2000 Chapter 16 stays current.
Visit the RDWG to learn more or to join the effort.
Reliability Data
The Reliability Working Group (RWG) has ongoing meetings to review reliability data exchange and metrics, and maintain Spec 2000 Chapter 11 and 13.2. This specification includes exchange of a wide variety of operational and maintenance data about aircraft, engines and components. The 2023.1 revision includes a detailed engine shop findings data set and a number of miscellaneous changes from the last 2019 revision. There is also major work being finalized to update the reliability metrics in 13.2 to better align with prognostics and health management activities in early 2024.
Visit the Reliability Working Group to learn more or to join the effort.
Repair Administration
The Repair Administration Working Group (RAWG) is developing XML standards to support component repair, including ensuring that the XML supports various industry blockchains. RAWG is currently in search of a new group chair.
Visit the Repair Administration Working Group or contact the ATA e-Business Program to learn more or to join the effort.
Spec 2000 Procurement
The Spec 2000 Procurement Working group is just finalizing version 2024.1 to update Spec 2000 Gen 2 with new messages for Stock Quantity and Price details and a Shipment Received messages. The group is meeting in Apr 2024 to continue updates on the next revision.
Visit the Procurement Working Group to learn more or to join the effort.
Technical Data Standards (ATA iSpec 2200, ATA Spec 1000BR, and S1000D)
The ATA Technical Data Working Group (TDWG) published the 2023.1 revisions of Spec 1000BR_4.1 and Spec 1000BR_4.2, Civil Aviation Business Rules for S1000D issues 4.1 and 4.2.These revisions include:
- Updated guidance for data deliveries
- Guidance for using the S1000D applicability model for Civil Aviation projects
- Updates to several Civil Aviation business rules
TDWG published the 2023.1 revision of iSpec 2200, Information Standards for Aviation Maintenance, revision 2023.1, This revision includes:
- A revised AIPC DTD to provide support for 3D interactive illustrations
- A new DTD for a non-graphic (media) companion file
- Replacement of gender-biased terms with gender-neutral alternatives
- Addition of change description to the EIPC DTD
- Modifications to several DTDs to enable updates to TR lists
TDWG is currently working on revision 2024.1 of Spec 1000BR_4.1 and Spec 1000BR_4.2. A new Spec 1000BR_6 (corresponding to the soon to be released S1000D issue 6) is also planned for this year.
TDWG continues working with the S1000D Steering Committee and various working groups on S1000D topics and revisions in its role as the S1000D representative body for the international Civil Aviation industry.
Visit the Technical Data Working Group to learn more or join the effort.