Electronic tech orders — the way of the future

Published March 18, 2011
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Progress has been made and change is inevitable.

Last April, the Air Force introduced a move that would alter the way mechanics read technical orders. Through the Air Force Enhanced Technology Information Management Systems initiative, 76th Maintenance Wing mechanics working on the B-52 Stratofortress now use laptops instead of paper technical orders.

The transition is 85-percent complete and this summer, 72nd Air Base Wing Communications Directorate and Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Engineering and Technical Management Directorate officials will begin transitioning away from KC-135 Stratotanker paper technical orders.

"We're always trying to improve processes," said Brandon Walker, 76th MXW

E-Tool Mobile Manager point-of-contact. "We're never going to say this is good enough. As technology improves and we learn more, we'll keep trying to make this a better process."

Panasonic Toughbook-52 semi-rugged desktop laptops are stored using E-Tool Mobile Manager cabinets by Tracewell Systems. Each cabinet, which is accessed using a common-access card, holds 10 or 16 ETIMS laptops depending on the model. Each drawer is equipped with a network and power source. When laptops are not being used, they sit in their assigned drawers, plugged into their respective power sources for recharging and to receive updates.

When a mechanic wants to use a laptop, the individual inserts a CAC into the cabinet, enters a password and the cabinet indicates a laptop that is available for use.

Unlike paper tech orders, electronic tech orders can be installed on a master computer. When updates are needed, the laptops in the shop area will all modify at the same time. Additionally, when an individual searches for an item or directive, he simply plugs a command into a search link.

"The search-ability is far superior," said Russ Knox, OC-ALC/EN E-Tool team lead. "For new mechanics coming out of the gate, the digital tech data is a lot easier to learn than the paper."

Mr. Walker agreed.

"The paper tech orders were hard to navigate," Mr. Walker said. "There was certain logic and it wasn't always what you'd think it would be."

Each laptop weighs approximately 5 pounds and holds every technical order pertaining to that aircraft, whereas paper technical orders are comprised of several books - each book containing one specific technical order. Additionally, there is no need to wait weeks for an update; it can be obtained automatically, as soon as the laptop is returned to a cabinet and the information is downloaded into the system. Because of that, there is no or little waste of paper.

"The response is immediate, as quickly as one day," Mr. Knox said. "There are real-time updates."

Thousands of people have been affected by the change and the quantity is only expected to increase. Following the KC-135 update, officials will move to 76th Commodities Maintenance Wing and 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group shops.

The change is gradual. Before tech orders are introduced into a work area, personnel are trained on the new system and oftentimes participate in hands-on training.

"The majority -- 80 to 90 percent of mechanics -- took to it and went with it," Mr. Walker said. "But, it was a matter of changing their mindset. There were a lot of people lacking the training because computers had never been a part of their skill set before now."

The transition from paper to electronic tech orders is expected to be complete by 2012.

Tech orders