Aircraft Types

When to use this

Use search and filters when you need to:

• Find a specific aircraft type by ICAO designator, manufacturer, or model name
• Review deactivated types for potential reactivation
• Sort types by various attributes for analysis or reporting
• Filter the list to reduce clutter and focus on relevant types

Steps

1. Use the search box: Enter search terms (ICAO type designator, manufacturer, or model) in the "Search" field at the top-left. The table updates as you type.
2. Toggle status view: Select "Active" or "Deactivated" radio buttons in the centre to switch between active and deactivated aircraft types.
3. Sort columns: Click any sortable column header (ICAO Type Designator, Manufacturer, WTC, Category) to sort. Click again to reverse the sort order.
4. Navigate pages: If there are many results (more than 15 types), use the pagination controls at the bottom to navigate through pages.

Result

The table updates to show only aircraft types matching your search terms and sort preferences. The table header shows whether you are viewing active or deactivated types, and the current sort column displays an up or down arrow indicator.

When to use this

Add a new aircraft type when:

• Your organisation acquires aircraft of a new type not yet in the system
• You need to define type-specific operational parameters for a new aircraft model
• You want to pre-configure a type before adding individual aircraft to the fleet

Steps

1. Click "Add Aircraft Type" button in the top-right corner
2. Optional: Load from ICAO: Use the ICAO Type Manufacturer Configuration search to pre-fill common fields if the type exists in the ICAO database
3. Enter ICAO Type Designator: Provide the standard ICAO code (e.g., B738, A320, BE20) – this field is required
4. Enter manufacturer: Provide the aircraft manufacturer name (e.g., Boeing, Airbus, Beechcraft)
5. Add models: Use the "Add model" button to add one or more model names (e.g., 737-800, A320-200). At least one model is required. You can add multiple models if the type designator covers several variants.
6. Select weight turbulence category (WTC): Choose the appropriate wake turbulence category from the dropdown (Light, Medium, Heavy, Super)
7. Select weight unit of measure: Choose the weight unit (kilograms, pounds, or tonnes) for this aircraft type
8. Select category: Choose the aircraft category (Aeroplane, Helicopter, or other operational categories)
9. Select engine type: Choose the engine category (Jet, Turboprop, Piston, Electric, or other)
10. Enter engine count: Specify the number of engines (e.g., 1, 2, 4)
11. Select class: Choose the aircraft class category (e.g., SEP, MEP, SET, MET, SEJ, MEJ) used for recency and logbook summaries
12. Select recency tracking method: Choose how pilot recency is tracked:
    • Type-specific: Recency must be completed in this exact aircraft type
    • Class-based: Recency can be fulfilled using any aircraft in the same class
13. Optional: Choose schedule display colour: Select a colour for the type to appear in scheduling views
14. Enable for modules: Tick checkboxes to enable the type for:
    • Flight operations: Enable for scheduling, dispatch, and flight planning
    • Maintenance hub: Enable for maintenance tracking (if AMO features are enabled)
    • Documents: Enable for document library association
15. Optional: Configure flight data fields: Use the flight data and engine slots section to define specific data fields and engine positions if needed
16. Click "Submit": Save the new aircraft type

Result

The new aircraft type appears in the Active Aircraft Types table and is immediately available for use in enabled modules. You can now add individual aircraft to the fleet using this type, configure crew positions, upload photos, and add weight and balance templates.

Notes & rules

• Required fields: ICAO type designator, at least one model, WTC, weight unit, category, engine type, engine count, class, and recency tracking method must all be provided
• Unique type designator: The ICAO type designator must be unique in the system
• Model management: You can add multiple models but cannot remove models that are already associated with aircraft or cost profiles
• Module enablement: You must enable at least one module (flight operations, maintenance hub, or documents) for the type to be useful
• ICAO pre-fill: Using the ICAO database option automatically populates many fields but can only be used when creating a new type (not when editing existing types with aircraft or cost profiles)

When to use this

Edit an aircraft type to update specifications, correct data, add models, or change operational settings.

Steps

1. Locate the type: Use search or scroll through the Active Aircraft Types table
2. Click the blue Edit button (pencil icon) in the Edit column
3. Update fields: Modify any editable field as needed (see "Add a New Aircraft Type" for field descriptions)
4. Manage models: Add new models using the "Add model" button. Note: You cannot remove models already associated with aircraft or cost profiles
5. Update module enablement: Change which modules can use this type. Note: You cannot disable a module if individual aircraft of this type have that module enabled
6. Click "Submit": Save your changes

Result

Changes are saved immediately. The table refreshes to show the updated aircraft type information. Changes propagate to all areas of the system using this type definition.

Notes & rules

• Protected models: Models associated with aircraft or cost profiles cannot be removed to preserve data integrity
• Module enablement constraints: If individual aircraft of this type have a module enabled (e.g., flight operations), you cannot disable that module at the type level
• ICAO pre-fill disabled: The "Load from ICAO" option is not available when editing types that have aircraft or cost profiles assigned
• Impact on existing aircraft: Changes to technical specifications affect all aircraft of this type
• Validation applies: All the same validation rules as creating a new type apply when editing

When to use this

Configure crew positions to define the required and optional crew member roles for flights using this aircraft type. This configuration drives crew scheduling, assignment, and compliance checking.

Steps

1. Locate the type: Find the aircraft type in the Active Aircraft Types table
2. Click the green Crew configuration button (user group icon) in the Crew configuration column
3. Define configurations: The system opens a dedicated crew configuration view where you can:
   • Create multiple crew configurations (e.g., standard ops, training, ferry flight)
   • Specify required crew positions (e.g., Captain, First Officer, Flight Attendant)
   • Define minimum crew requirements per position
   • Link configurations to regulations if applicable
4. Save configurations: Submit your crew position definitions
5. Return to aircraft types: Click "Return to aircraft types" button to go back to the main table

Result

Crew configurations become active immediately. When scheduling flights or assigning crew to this aircraft type, the system enforces the defined crew position requirements. Dispatch and flight release checks validate that required crew positions are filled.

Notes & rules

• Flight operations only: Crew configurations only appear when viewing aircraft types in flight operations context
• Multiple configurations: You can define different crew configurations for different operational scenarios
• Regulatory compliance: Link configurations to regulations to ensure compliance tracking
• Required for scheduling: At least one crew configuration is typically needed to schedule flights with this aircraft type

When to use this

Upload and manage weight and balance template documents for this aircraft type. This feature is only available when weight and balance templates are enabled in flight operations settings.

Steps

1. Locate the type: Find the aircraft type in the Active Aircraft Types table
2. Click the Weight & Balance button (scale icon) in the W&B Templates column
3. Upload templates: In the window that opens:
   • Click "Add" or "Upload" to select template files
   • Provide descriptive names for each template
   • Upload PDF or other supported document formats
4. Manage existing templates: View, download, or deactivate existing templates
5. Close the window: Click "Close" or the X button to return to the main table

Result

Templates are immediately available for flight planning and dispatch. The W&B Templates button shows a badge with the count of active templates (green badge if templates exist, red if none). Crew and dispatch users can access these templates when preparing flights.

Notes & rules

• Settings-dependent: This feature only appears if weight and balance templates are enabled in flight operations settings
• Templates are type-specific: Each aircraft type can have its own set of templates
• Active vs. deactivated: Deactivated templates remain in the system but are not shown to users
• Document formats: Follow organisational standards for template document formats

When to use this

Upload reference photos for the aircraft type to help with visual identification, training, and documentation purposes.

Steps

1. Locate the type: Find the aircraft type in the Active Aircraft Types table
2. Click the Photos button (camera icon) in the Photos column
3. Upload photos: In the window that opens:
   • Click "Upload" or drag and drop image files
   • Add multiple photos if needed (exterior views, interior, cockpit, etc.)
   • Provide captions or descriptions for each photo
4. Manage existing photos: View, reorder, or delete existing photos
5. Close the window: Click "Close" or the X button to return to the main table

Result

Photos are stored with the aircraft type and can be viewed throughout the system. The Photos button shows a badge with the photo count (green badge if photos exist, red if none). Photos help crew, maintenance staff, and operations personnel visually identify aircraft of this type.

Notes & rules

• Flight operations only: Photo management only appears when viewing aircraft types in flight operations context
• Image formats: Upload common image formats (JPEG, PNG, etc.)
• Multiple photos supported: Add as many reference photos as needed
• No client-specific content: Use generic manufacturer photos rather than photos showing client-specific livery or branding

When to use this

Deactivate an aircraft type when it's no longer in use but historical data must be preserved (e.g., organisation no longer operates this type, or the type is being phased out).

Steps

1. Find the type in the Active Aircraft Types table
2. Click the yellow Deactivate button (ban icon) in the Deactivate column
3. Review the confirmation message: The system shows how many aircraft of this type exist in the database
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears

Result

The aircraft type moves from the Active Aircraft Types table to the Deactivated Aircraft Types view. It's no longer available for new aircraft registrations or flight scheduling, but historical data (existing aircraft, flight records, crew assignments) remains intact and accessible.

Notes & rules

• Soft delete only: Deactivation is reversible—use the Activate button in the Deactivated view to restore
• Existing aircraft unaffected: Aircraft already registered under this type remain in the system and retain their type association
• Historical data preserved: Past flights, maintenance records, and crew assignments remain linked to the type
• Not available for new use: Deactivated types won't appear in dropdowns for new aircraft or flight scheduling
• Confirmation shows impact: The deactivation message tells you how many aircraft currently exist with this type

When to use this

Activate a previously deactivated aircraft type to restore it for operational use when the organisation begins operating this type again.

Steps

1. Switch to "Deactivated" view using the radio buttons in the centre of the page
2. Locate the type in the Deactivated Aircraft Types table
3. Click the green Activate button (plus icon) in the Activate column

Result

The aircraft type immediately returns to the Active Aircraft Types view and becomes available again for new aircraft registrations, flight scheduling, and all enabled modules. All previous configurations (crew positions, photos, templates) remain intact.

Notes & rules

• Instant restoration: Activation takes effect immediately with no data loss
• All settings preserved: Crew configurations, module enablement, templates, and photos remain as they were
• No confirmation required: Activation happens immediately when you click the button

The Aircraft Types table displays different columns depending on context (Flight Operations vs. Maintenance Hub) and system settings. Here's what each column means:

Searchable fields

The search box filters aircraft types based on these fields:

• Type designator: ICAO code (e.g., B738, A320)
• Manufacturer: Manufacturer name (e.g., Boeing, Airbus)
• Model: Model names (e.g., 737-800, A320-200)

Sortable columns

Click these column headers to sort the table:

• ICAO Type Designator: Alphabetical order
• Manufacturer: Alphabetical order
• WTC (Wake Turbulence Category): Alphabetical order
• Category: Alphabetical order

Aircraft Types page access is controlled by policy-based permissions that vary depending on whether you're accessing the page from Flight Operations or Maintenance Hub context.

The system enforces these validation rules when creating or editing aircraft types:

Why can't I remove a model from an aircraft type?

Models cannot be removed if they're associated with existing aircraft in the fleet or have cost/speed profiles defined. This prevents data integrity issues. The remove button is disabled for protected models, and hovering over it shows a message explaining that the model is associated with aircraft or cost profiles. To remove a model, you must first reassign any aircraft using that model and delete any associated cost profiles.

Why can't I disable Flight Operations for an aircraft type?

You cannot disable Flight Operations, Maintenance Hub, or Documents modules at the type level if individual aircraft of this type have those modules enabled. The checkbox appears disabled with a tooltip showing which aircraft have that module enabled. To disable a module, first go to the Fleet Management page and disable that module for all aircraft of this type.

Why don't I see the "Load from ICAO" option when editing a type?

The ICAO pre-fill feature is only available when creating a brand new aircraft type. Once a type has aircraft assigned to it or has cost/speed profiles configured, the ICAO option is disabled to prevent accidental overwrites of existing data. This protects your configured data from being replaced with generic ICAO database values.

What happens to existing aircraft when I deactivate an aircraft type?

Deactivating an aircraft type does not affect existing aircraft in your fleet. All aircraft of this type remain in the system with full historical data intact. The type simply becomes unavailable for new aircraft registrations and won't appear in dropdowns. You can still view, maintain, and operate existing aircraft. To remove aircraft from operations, you must deactivate individual aircraft separately.

Why don't I see the Weight & Balance Templates column?

The W&B Templates column only appears when weight and balance templates are enabled in Flight Operations Settings. If you don't see this column, check with your system administrator to enable this feature in settings. Once enabled, the column appears for all aircraft types, allowing you to upload and manage W&B template documents.

Why don't I see the Crew configuration button for some types?

Crew configurations are only available when viewing aircraft types in the Flight Operations context (from the Aircraft Management menu). If you're viewing the page from Maintenance Hub, crew configuration options don't appear because they're specific to flight operations. Navigate to Aircraft Management > Aircraft Types from the main menu to access crew configuration features.

What's the difference between Type-specific and Class-based recency tracking?

Type-specific recency means pilots must complete recency requirements (takeoffs, landings, approaches) in that exact aircraft type to remain current. Class-based recency allows pilots to maintain currency by flying any aircraft in the same class (e.g., any MET aircraft for multi-engine turboprop recency). Type-specific is more restrictive and typically used for complex or specialised aircraft, while class-based is more flexible and commonly used for general aviation or training fleets. This setting affects general recency, night recency, and IFR recency tracking.

Can I have multiple aircraft types with the same ICAO designator?

No, ICAO type designators must be unique in the system. If you need to differentiate between variants of the same type (e.g., different configurations), add multiple models under a single type designator rather than creating separate types. For example, use one "B737" type with models "737-700", "737-800", and "737-900" rather than creating three separate types.