Využitie technológie Blockchain v údržbovej organizácii

Abstract

The paper analyzes the potential of blockchain technology for managing and protecting aircraft maintenance records in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and continuing airworthiness management (CAMO) organizations under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulatory framework. Based on a review of scientific literature, EASA regulations and guidelines on electronic records and signatures, and a case study of the combined airworthiness organization SK.CAO.003, the paper derives functional and security requirements for an information system handling maintenance data. These requirements, which concern in particular data integrity, traceability, redundancy, availability, authorization and auditability, are compared with the properties of public, private and consortium blockchain networks. The paper proposes a concept of a permissioned consortium blockchain architecture based on Hyperledger Fabric, using distributed ledger technology for storing immutable metadata and cryptographic hashes of maintenance records while keeping detailed documents in existing off-chain MRO systems. The concept is illustrated by two web-based proof-of-concept applications: the first records aircraft-level maintenance events and visualizes chain immutability, the second tracks the life cycle of individual components from registration to retirement. The results indicate that blockchain can meet key regulatory requirements for maintenance records management, while identified limitations relate mainly to integration with legacy systems, identity and access management, and operating costs of the network.