Improved aircraft readiness through COTS

This paper details research performed in the development of COTS based test program sets capable of testing various avionics systems installed in operational aircraft. The basis of this program was to determine the best course of action to allow the aircraft technician to troubleshoot and verify faults encountered during normal operation. This was accomplished by first developing an expert knowledge database covering problems and faults encountered by experienced aircraft technicians. The test system, dubbed the Avionics Test System (ATS), allows end-to-end performance testing of any avionics system from the installed antenna to the operator interface, visual or aural. The ATS gives the aircraft technician the ability to test the functions of the avionics systems using real-world performance criteria. The ATS end-to-end test capability tests all segments of the avionics systems giving a positive indication of faults in a real-world environment. With a graphical user interface, the technician´s inputs are button presses vs. keystrokes allowing for incremental environment use. A wireless remote control capability provides the technician the ability to perform the majority of tests while seated in the cockpit or at a user station