Adding LEAP 1A fan blade balancing functionality to BladeFix for easyJet

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Context

easyJet are one of Europe's largest low cost airlines with a fleet of 323 Airbus A320/321 aircraft. Their aircraft currently use the CFM56 5b and LEAP 1A engines.

Description of the challenge / customer problems

Output42’s BladeFix solution was originally developed with technical assistance from easyJet’s powerplant engineers for their CFM56 5B engines. BladeFix quickly became an essential powerplant tool that streamlined handling fan blade events, so when the LEAP 1A was scheduled to come online with easyJet they naturally wanted BladeFix’s functionality extended so it could handle Blade events in the same user friendly manner. The software tool provided by CFM for the LEAP 1A was considered to be time consuming to use and not user friendly so it was an easy decision for easyJet’s powerplant department to request BladeFix’s functionality to be extended.

Process

easyJet’s head of powerplant contacted us in March 2017 to discuss the possibility of developing the functionality required for the LEAP 1A. Within a few days our development team had the first of several technical meetings to fully understand the detailed functionality required. Our project manager then provided a quote and timescale to complete the development, including testing and acceptance by easyJet’s powerplant engineers. The initial development took 4 months, this included further technical meetings with easyJet engineers to clear up any ambiguities we uncovered when implementing the blade selection workflow. This was followed by 2 months of testing and user acceptance by easyJet Using a “test” site, during this phase the system was fine tuned to make sure the interface was consistent and reports contained the necessary detail. The enhanced system went live in late 2017 when easyJet had generated the necessary internal training schedule and documentation. We provide full support for the system, normally responding to issues within a few hours, although the number of support requests are minimal it is reassuring for easyJet to know that any issues with their “favorite” tool are always considered top priority.

Effect

The outcome for easyJet has been entirely positive, the enhanced functionality went into service, had minimal teething issues and achieved all it’s goals. Like the CFM56 5b solution, the LEAP 1A solution saves them critical time, minimizes fan blade stock, saves them money month on month and makes powerplant engineers lives a lot less stressful when the pooh hits the fan (literally).

Our Client's Feedback

Alejandro Lopez Ruesca

Head of Powerplant, easyJet

“The software is easy to use and has improved our downed airplane recovery time.”

Read full review on

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