Just found out some regional jets are running 787 level software now - where did that stat come from?

I read on an FAA bulletin last month that over 60% of new avionics suites in regional jets are now using the same ARINC 661 protocols as the big widebodies, which got me thinking about whether we're over-engineering the small birds or just standardizing smart - what do you guys think about the trade offs for maintenance?

2 comments

2 Comments

benwilliams1mo ago

Sounds like a maintenance headache waiting to happen if you ask me.

wood.zara1mo ago

Actually dealt with something similar last year and it turned out way better than I expected. Got a system that cycles everything on a schedule, takes like 5 minutes to set up and then its just set it and forget it. Maintenance has been super minimal, just a quick check every few months to make sure nothing's stuck or blocked. The automation routines I use even flag issues before they become problems, which saves a ton of hassle. Honestly the peace of mind from not having to remember to manually do stuff is worth way more than the setup time.