# Presentation: 730068

## The Turbine Repair Automated Control System [TRACS]

**The Turbine Repair Automated Control System [TRACS]**

**Welcome to the ****TRACS**** demonstration program!****  **
**This brief slide show will acquaint you with our research and some of the features of the TRACS prototype.**
**We recommend that you view the slides and become familiar with concepts of TRACS before using the TRACS program.**
**The slide show should last about 5 minutes -- we hope you ****enjoy**** it!  **

## TRACS Overview

**TRACS Overview**

**The software you are about to use is designed to aid airline technicians in ****tracking*****, *****repairing****, and returning ****jet***** *****engines**** back to serviceability.  The prototype system was created under contract from the Office of Aviation Medicine, a research arm of the FAA.  **
**The objective of the research was to identify ****human***** *****factors***** *****issues**** which could be addressed by the use of ****computerized***** *****job***** *****aids****, such as ****pen***** *****computers****, ****automated***** *****forms**** and ****digital***** *****reference**** material for mechanics.  **

## TRACS Overview

**TRACS Overview**

**Delta***** *****Air***** *****Lines**** participated as a research partner by letting us observe their maintenance hub facility in Atlanta, GA.  **
**Delta**** also contributed valuable maintenance personnel time to aid us in designing the software.**
**After a detailed task analysis of the ****mechanic****, ****lead***** *****mechanic****, and ****inspector**** jobs, we compiled a list of challenges for the prototype.  **
**We then developed multiple versions of the prototype, while getting ****feedback**** from actual technicians on ways to improve the design.**
**The final version is what you will soon experience.**

## What does TRACS Do?

**What does TRACS Do?**

**Tracking**** of parts through the entire repair process, with access to all time and cycle limit information**
**Full ****automation**** of legacy paper-based repair systems**
**Electronic***** *****accountability**** and ****compliance**** with Engineering Orders and FAA mandates**
**Expert***** *****knowledge***** *****aids**** for decision-making during sequencing of repair steps**

**Hypertext***** *****manual***** *****documentation**** with links directly within the repair sign-off process**
**Friendly****, easy to use ****interface**** in a point-and-click window environment**
**Graphical***** *****methods**** of selecting parts on a turbine module for repair and rebuild**

**TRACS gives technicians and inspectors the information they need, at the instant they need it.  Some of the features of the software are:**

**Because the software was designed with continuous feedback from working technicians and inspectors, its unique interface is both easy to***** *****understand and highly functional.**

## Jet Engine Repair with TRACS

**Jet Engine Repair with TRACS**

**TRACS represents all of the tasks you would do to repair two parts from a High-Pressure Turbine module, as if you were an actual technician.**
**Every screen you will see has a particular function for the repair of the Turbine module.**
**Some screens control the ****ordering**** of ****parts****, some control ****repair***** *****steps****, and others control the ****documentation**** required to meet regulations.**

**Stage 1 Shaft/Disk**

**Thermal Sheild**

## Jet Engine Repair (Cont.)

**Jet Engine Repair (Cont.)**

**The first screen you will see is the ****Log-In****.**
**Select one of the names from the list (click the button to the right of the initials box) to sign into the system as an Airline Maintenance Technician.  **
**Different jobs have different priviledges.  **
**If you log in as a ****Lead***** *****Mechanic**** or ****Inspector****, you have the ability to order parts, complete repair steps, and configure a part for repair. **
**If you log in as a ****Mechanic****, you have the ability to do everything but configure a part for repair.**
**If you log in as a ****Work***** *****Center**** person, you have the ability to track parts and alter tracking numbers.**
**It may take you a little while to get familiar with all of the screens.  Give yourself some time to experiment.**

## Help!

**Help!**

**Help**** is available if you are unsure of what to do.  Simply click on the ****Help**** button to view hints about TRACS.**
**Help contains information about each screen and what it is designed to accomplish.**
**After becoming familiar with the flow of the program, you will understand the kinds of tasks that technicians must perform to ****repair***** *****parts**** and ****assemble***** *****Turbine***** *****modules****.**
**Here’s a tip****:  View the ****contents**** of the Help system.  You can do this by clicking on the “Contents” button while you are in Help.  **

## Resetting TRACS

**Resetting TRACS**

**Just like in an engine shop, if you ****sign***** *****off**** on a repair step and save the change, you can’t un-sign off.**
**If you use TRACS for a long time, you will notice that parts and modules leave your shop.  That is because you have fixed them!**
**To return your engine shop to its original inventory, run the ****Reset***** *****utility.  This program can be launched with the ****Reset***** *****TRACS**** icon.**
**If you have created your own repair templates, resetting TRACS will not affect them.**

## You Are Cleared for Takeoff!

**You Are Cleared for Takeoff!**

**Congratulations!****  You are now ready to begin repairing Turbine modules.**
**Remember: this prototype was designed for ****Airline***** *****Maintenance***** *****Technicians****.  Depending on your background, you may find some pieces of the software puzzling.  That’s why there is a Help button!**
**Enjoy***** *****the***** *****prototype!****  Don’t forget to count your tools. . . **

## Contact Information

**Contact Information**
*Phil Hastings*
- Scientist, Information Division
*Bill Johnson, Ph.D.*
- Vice President, Information Division
**Galaxy Scientific Corporation**
- Information Division
- 2310 Parklake Drive, Suite 325
- Atlanta, GA 30329
- (770) 491-1100
- www.galaxyatl.com/galaxy.html

*William T. Shepherd, Ph.D.*
- Manager, Biomedical & Behavioral Sciences
**FAA Office of Aviation Medicine**
- 800 Independence Ave SW
- AAM 240
- Washington, DC 20591
- (202) 267-8338