Since 2021, the Skills and Professions Development Agency, with the support of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, has been implementing the educational project "Marathon of Innovators" within the framework of the national project "Labor Productivity". At the Marathon, participants get acquainted with real examples of innovative proposals and innovative ideas, which are demonstrated by the innovators themselves.
In 2022, Konstantin Kuzmichev, Deputy Head of the Department of Design Support for the Operation of Irkut Corporation, became one of the first participants of the Marathon. In an interview with the website "Aviation of Russia", he told how the ideas of innovation and certain aspects of the introduction of rationalization proposals contribute to improving the maintenance of Superjet 100 aircraft and make it possible to increase the efficiency of production of airliners.
– In recent years, we have been hearing more and more about the need to develop the innovation movement in Russia. Do you see the potential in the development of innovation in your company?
– PJSC Irkut Corporation is constantly looking for ways to improve and develop existing civil aviation programs. For example, the priority direction of the development of the Superjet program is the improvement of the after–sales service system. The management identifies key areas for projects, setting goals and tasks for specialists based on market needs, and specialists have the opportunity to give their suggestions on possible solutions. Initiative projects are also treated with great interest here.
In our company, as, probably, in other Rostec enterprises, there are many young and enterprising specialists with new and ambitious ideas. Therefore, the potential for the development of innovation at our enterprise is seen to be very high.
– You already have experience of participating in the Marathon of innovators. What is the main benefit, in your opinion, from this project?
– First of all, it is informing participants about the existing opportunities at their home enterprises, as well as the opportunity to share their success story in order to push those who still doubt their abilities to action.
– At the Marathon of Innovators, you presented a case study on improving the on-board maintenance system of Superjet 100 aircraft. Tell us more about this project?
– Maintenance of a modern civil aircraft is an integral part of maintaining its airworthiness. At the same time, the modern realities of a market economy and fierce competition between airlines impose additional requirements on the volume and intervals of aircraft maintenance. An airplane makes a profit when it is in the air. The volume of maintenance should be balanced to ensure the most efficient and at the same time safe operation of the aircraft.
The airlines' request for quick and easy identification of technical faults prompted us to develop a digital twin of the Superjet 100 aircraft. It repeats and describes the principle of operation of aircraft systems and devices, which makes it possible to speed up the determination of the causes of failures. This development helps technicians to carry out maintenance of airliners faster, as well as reduce aircraft downtime and departure delays.
Also, work is currently underway on the concept of using an information system for monitoring failures, thanks to which the technical parameters of the operation of the Russian Superjet 100 can be monitored almost in real time anywhere in the world, while all information about the necessary technical measures will be available in real time and with a retrospective to specialists of airlines and maintenance organizations.
– Are there any other examples of the implementation of innovation proposals in your company?
– The most obvious examples of innovation are manifested in the production center of the Regional Aircraft branch, where SSJ100 is produced and SSJ-New is being prepared for production. For example, thanks to a special storage system developed by one of the employees of the production center, it was possible to significantly extend the shelf life of paint and varnish materials and, accordingly, reduce the cost of their purchase.
– How interested is the management of your company in supporting innovators, what is this interest?
– The management takes care of the professional development of its specialists, therefore, there is an opportunity for training at the expense of the company at our enterprise. Also, the leadership strongly supports the initiative on the ground. The most interesting projects are supported and implemented.
