Gaia Showcases AI-Powered Operational Efficiency Using OnwardAir
Learn how Gaia built an AI Agent for Onward Air to power their internal knowledge base around FAA regulations and operational efficiency.
About OnwardAir:
OnwardAir is an aerospace company pioneering the air mobility space by developing safe and affordable eVTOL aircraft. Led by industry veterans, the company aims to enhance accessibility to flight control systems and overall safety using advanced AI and ML technologies.
How Gaia Helps OnwardAir:
Gaia's AI agent serves as a comprehensive knowledge base for FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regulations. By providing instant access to technical manuals, maintenance procedures, and up-to-date FAA regulations, it improves operational efficiency.
OnwardAir is a pioneer in air mobility by developing safe, affordable electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles. This is the apex of aviation, automotive, and aeronautical engineering, combining to push the boundaries of autonomous transportation.
While the core focus is concentrated in these functions, there are areas like aircraft maintenance, regulatory compliance, and human resources which are integral too.
However, managing complex technical info, training new staff, and maintaining regulatory compliance in the dynamic eVTOL industry can be a headache.
This guide explores how Gaia’s AI agent can address these key challenges and revolutionize the way OnwardAir manages its auxiliary business functions.
Three Painpoints OnwardAir Faces
Let’s understand three painpoints engineering-heavy companies like OnwardAir face in terms of their day-to-day operations.
Fragmented Knowledge Base
Companies like OnwardAir deal with thousands of moving parts — mechanical parts, people, software, and more. This makes documentation a huge headache. Technicians struggle with finding specific information across numerous technical manuals and FAA documents, often wasting time during urgent maintenance tasks.
This fragmentation leads to delays in resolving issues and increases the risk of outdated or incorrect information being used.
Knowledge Gaps
Employees leaving or retiring can create significant knowledge gaps in OnwardAir's expertise base. The challenge of maintaining consistent expertise across its team is compounded by inconsistent knowledge transfer processes. This adds to the difficulties in keeping the entire team updated on the latest regulations and rules.
New hires often struggle to quickly gain the required knowledge, leading to inconsistent quality and safety standards.
Compliance and Regulatory Complexities
Frequent updates to FAA regulations and safety standards make it difficult for companies like OnwardAir to ensure that all staff remain informed and compliant. The process of preparing for FAA audits is particularly labor-intensive, requiring meticulous checks to confirm that all documentation and procedures are up-to-date.
Aircraft Maintenance and Regulatory Compliance Made Easy Using Gaia
The Gaia chatbot for OnwardAir is an AI-powered virtual assistant specifically designed to support aircraft maintenance and regulatory compliance. It leverages a comprehensive knowledge base of over 30 technical manuals and 200 FAA documents to provide instant, accurate, and context-aware guidance.
Key features of the chatbot include:
On-Demand Technical Support
The Gaia chatbot provides instant access to a comprehensive database of technical manuals and FAA documents. Technicians can quickly find step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting guidance without sifting through extensive documentation.
This reduces maintenance downtime and improves operational efficiency, ensuring that technicians have the right information when they need it most.
Knowledge Transfer and Training
The chatbot serves as an efficient training tool, helping new technicians learn about aircraft systems and procedures at their own pace. It retains institutional knowledge and provides consistent, up-to-date information, reducing dependency on senior staff for training.
This accelerates the onboarding process and ensures that all team members are well-informed and capable of performing complex maintenance tasks.
Regulatory Compliance Support
The Gaia agent offers instant access to up-to-date FAA regulations ensuring that technicians and managers always have access to the most current standards. It simulates the role of an FAA auditor, helping the team prepare for audits by identifying potential areas of non-compliance.
This proactive approach reduces the stress and workload associated with maintaining compliance.
Gaia as a Virtual Team Member for OnwardAir
This implementation of a Gaia agent showcases the potential of promptable user manuals. By centralizing information and facilitating knowledge transfer, the agent acts as a virtual team member. This lets the core team of OnwardAir focus more on the engineering and business side of things.
The promptable user manual format can be easily scaled across various applications and industries, adapting to different knowledge bases and operational needs.
This versatility makes the Gaia agent a valuable tool not only for aerospace but also for any field requiring quick access to complex, evolving information.