AUSTRIAN AIRLINES: ONE OF THE FIRST EUROPEAN EASA PART145 ORGANISATIONS WITH APPROVAL FOR E-SIGNATURE

Swiss-AS is proud to announce that Austrian Technik, the TechnicalOperations organisation of Austrian Airlines, has recently received theFAA approval for “FAA Operation Specification”. The Part 145organisation is now allowed to use the AMOS e-signature in thecontext of
–     FAA Form 8130-3.
In addition, the usage of the AMOS e-signature solution at Austrian Technik has been approved by Austro Control GmbH, the official Austrian civil aviation agency, for
–    EASA Form 1 (double release).
Austrian Technik is now the first European EASA Part 145 organisationhaving completed the appropriate authority approvals and operationalimplementation of electronic signature in AMOS.

ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE IN AMOS
An electronic signature fulfils the same function as a normal signatureon paper. It indicates that a person agrees to the contents of anelectronic message and it is a convenient approach for a fast and secure paperless process.

Since AMOS Version 9.10, the electronic signature has been smoothly integrated into all AMOS modules. Every printout can be signed andstored as PDF/A. Swiss-AS provides two options in AMOS for theelectronic signature: An external and internal solution, both accordingto FAA AC No. 120-78.

External e-signature: The external procedure involves services of a 3rdparty provider. Within AMOS, a PDF is generated and sent to the external signing software via a web service. A smartcard or signaturepad is used to sign the data; later, a PDF sheet can be stored in anexternal archive and linked to AMOS.

Internal e-signature: The internal approach is entirely processed withinAMOS – a PDF is created and the process of signing is handled only in AMOS. The signing can be performed, either with “official” certificatesordered at a Certificate Authority, or by using AMOS internally generated certificates. The location for archiving the file can also bevaried.

COOPERATION OF AUSTRIAN TECHNIK AND SWISS-AS
The basic functionality for e-signing which AMOS has offered sinceversion 9.10 was the groundwork from which Austrian Technik and Swiss-AS started working.

The goal was clearly defined: Developing an e-signing solution for component certificates which will receive the European and US American approval. Both companies collaborated closely to ensure the target was achieved one year later. The next milestones are to be ableto electronically sign workorders and shop reports.

Austrian Technik is using the external e-signature option which includes a 3rd party company via interface which provides the affiliated services and the necessary hardware.

The preparation for this process, apart from the development, wasextensive and time consuming since not only authorities but also suppliers and business partners of Austrian Technik needed to beinvolved while processes had to be newly designed.

ABOUT AUSTRIAN AIRLINES AND AUSTRIAN TECHNIK
Austrian Airlines, AMOS user since 2003, is Austria’s largest airline and takes its passengers to 130 international destinations. The flag carrier operates more than 80 aircraft including Airbus 321 / 320 / 319,Boeing 777 / 767 / 737, Fokker 100 / 70, Bombardier Q400. AustrianTechnik, the Technical Operations organisation of Austrian Airlines, carries out aircraft maintenance including C-Checks, as well as component maintenance, engineering, technical modifications andmaintenance training for the following aircraft: Airbus 320 family, Airbus 330/340 family, Boeing 737CL/NG, B767, B777, Canadair Jet 100/200 and Fokker 70/100.

ABOUT SWISS AVIATION SOFTWARE AND AMOS
AMOS is a fully integrated maintenance management systemdeveloped and distributed by Swiss AviationSoftware Ltd. As a 100%subsidiary of Swiss International Air Lines Ltd., Swiss-AS has become a fixture in the MRO software market and successfully sets standards in the MRO software industry. AMOS – the answer to the complex and cost intensive maintenance & engineering requirements – is now also represented in Miami, Florida, USA.

Today, almost 100 customers from all over the world rely on AMOS and benefit from its continuously enlarged functionalities andtechnological cutting edge, which makes AMOS the industry-leading MRO software in Europe and one of the best-selling solutions world-wide. Its solid customer base ranges from pure operators of all sizes,major low-cost, regional and flag carriers to large airline groups and MRO providers.
www.swiss-as.com