RFID Takes Wing in Aviation

In February, Boeing and FedEx completed a 90-day pilot program. Passive 13.56 MHz tags based on the ISO 15693 standard were placed on parts on a FedEx plane (see Standard Deviation for a look at the technology Boeing and Airbus will use). The aim was to identify potential electromagnetic interference from the plane’s engine and electronics systems and detrimental environmental effects on tags while the plane was in operation; evaluate the integrity of the data on the RFID chips to make sure it wasn’t corrupted by harsh environments while the plane was in flight; make sure the tags would remain on the parts; and access the concept and suitability of the technology for FedEx’s fleet of planes.


Porad says the results revealed no interference with the plane’s systems or impact on RFID data integrity. Boeing plans a second pilot with FedEx later this year. They will use the same FedEx plane and perform the same tests, this time using 915 MHz EPC passive tags. Boeing is also planning tests with Delta on some of its planes. The companies plan to test 13.56 MHz tags and 915 MHz tags on up to eight Boeing 757 twin-engine aircraft. Part of the trial includes using hermetically sealed tags attached to Pratt & Whitney engines, to see how the tags withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Supply-side economics
Implementing RFID throughout the airplane manufacturing industry supply chain won’t come without hurdles. The high cost of tagging numerous parts will be borne by the suppliers. Before considering deployments, the suppliers must determine how their processes can be improved through the use of RFID, says Nick Evans, global lead, emerging technology at BearingPoint, a consulting and systems integration firm.

Despite the high cost of tags today—20 to 60 cents apiece, depending on volumes purchased and the amount of memory on the tag—Evans believes suppliers have much to gain from RFID. Most significantly, they can improve processes by knowing the precise location of parts. And by uniquely identifying parts using RFID, they can create electronic audit trails and maintenance histories. This will help reduce the counterfeiting of parts, which costs the suppliers money, and cut down on the labor needed to comply with FAA paperwork regulations.

Boeing’s Porad says the real benefits for suppliers will come when RFID is widely used: “We all have business processes that could be improved significantly with this technology, but it’s about sharing data.”

Today, Boeing shares information with suppliers about plane configurations, ordering and shipping. The plan is to store RFID-generated data in Boeing’s existing database that’s used for parts information gathered via bar code systems. The database will be made available to business partners. The information will be more accurate and timely, enabling suppliers to reduce inventories while still delivering parts to Boeing when they need to be replenished.

Some suppliers are already moving ahead with internal RFID projects. Honeywell International’s Aerospace Electronics Systems division in Phoenix, which makes flight navigation systems, pilot displays and other products, began a test program earlier this year in which it’s using a combination of RFID and bar codes to track the parts as they move through the factory and are shipped to aircraft manufacturers.