Two large Part 135 operators received FAA approval in June to operate without using paper records, according to a news release issued by Vision Aircraft Records.
They will use an entirely digital record keeping system provided and supported by Vision Aircraft Records utilizing the SMART (Secured Managed Aircraft Records Technology) Logbook System.
Vision Aircraft Records can supply any Part 135 operator or certificate holder with the generic language to apply for the same approval. Vision has the capability to onboard any operator in the United States in a single business day.
"This will open the floodgates for anyone in business aviation industry who wishes to take advantage of an entirely digital business model," said Mark Leeper, CEO of Vision Aircraft Records.
"This is a game changer to finally do away with the grief of paper. It will save an endless amount of money and time for all operators, including Part 91, Part 135 and others."
Industry expert Larry Hinebaugh estimates that poor record keeping costs the industry over $150 million per year. That includes maintenance research labor, lost documents, clerical time organizing, shipping and storage, etc. This figure does not include the lost aircraft value in transactions or aircraft downtime caused by records that are incomplete or missing, compromising airworthiness.
"This approval is bigger news than even supersonic flight - it will impact more people in the industry in more ways than any other technological advancement since the Wright brothers," said Hinebaugh, who is the executive director The Foundation for Business Aircraft Records Excellence, a non-profit, and a contributor to Aircraft Maintenance Technology.
