WAH et al,
Here is the latest position on the GE system:
Current work comprises an in-service demonstration of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based anomaly detection and diagnostic system to enhance the performance of current HUMS. A demonstration system covering all 35 shafts in the Super Puma main rotor, accessory, intermediate and tail rotor gearboxes has been developed and tested using all available IHUMS data up to March 2006. The first six-month in-service trial of the system at Bristow Helicopters was completed in November 2006 and was very successful. Further enhancements to the system were identified, developed and implemented in the trials system, largely under FAA funding, and a further six-month in-service trial undertaken which was completed in June 2008. The results of this trial demonstrated further improvement. The final two research tasks covering data mining and data reasoning have been completed and are to be reported by end March. A final summary report is to be produced for publication in the public domain in the summer. The last progress meeting with GE Aviation took place on 15 January 2009; the next is scheduled for 29 April 2009.
Presentations on this work were given by GE Aviation at the 10 June 2008 Oil & Gas UK ASTG Symposium and at the 11/12 June 2008 RAeS Maritime Operations of Rotorcraft conference. A paper proposing full implementation of the research was presented to the Oil & Gas UK Board on 15 October 2008 and approved. GE Aviation will be progressing implementation via OEMs for aircraft with OEM supplied HUMS, and this would be assisted if a clear indication of ‘customer’ demand were available. GE Aviation will deal with helicopter operators direct for ‘legacy’ HUMS. GE Aviation is proposing to hold a seminar in Aberdeen to help launch implementation.
The GE Aviation meeting referred to in the briefing is to be held at Aberdeen on the 29th April - the AAIB have been invited.
212man, I totally agree with your statements on this - these are not matter for the casual consideration of pilots; HUMS are complex systems - too complex in fact, the setting of the threshholds is more of an art than science and awaits the development of appropriate systems for trend and cluster modelling.
If the aircraft is declared servicable in the tech-log (or substitute) and satisfies the contraints of the MEL it is fit to go - only issues discovered on the preflight walk-around and during start-up (and, of course, operational considerations) are within the remit of the pilot.
Jim