Computer Science Assignment - Software Development

Project case study – AV8R Fantasy Flights Document v1.0

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Overview

AV8R Fantasy Flights is an aeroplane time-share charter business based at Airlie Beach, on Queensland’s Whitsunday coast. The area comprises 74 islands, an extensive coastline and is gateway to the centre of the Great Barrier Reef. Each of these islands has its own runway with appropriate facilities to allow small single or twin-engine planes to land, refuel and take-off.

The aeroplanes are fully equipped for flying from island to island. They come with camping equipment, cooking, portable bathroom and sleeping facilities for overnight stay when on land. Safety, navigation and communications equipment are standard equipment on every type of aeroplane. However, they come without a pilot – the people chartering (hiring) the aeroplanes need to have a valid Private Pilot License (PPL) or Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with the proper ratings (i.e. extra qualifications) to fly the appropriate type of aeroplane with fixed number of passengers.

AV8R Fantasy Flights have several classes of aeroplanes available for charter, catering for groups of holiday-makers of two to eight people (see image below). In addition they can hire out diving equipment, even SCUBA equipment for people who like to explore the islands on their own.

People interested in chartering an aeroplane can contact the business by a 1800 phone number or through the AV8R Fantasy Flights website.

AV8R Fantasy Flights require charterers to check in by VHF radio no later than 4.00pm each afternoon to advise their position and so they can be advised of the forecast weather conditions and tide times. These daily communications are called a Daily Schedule or Sched. It is crucial for the business to keep track of all scheds – if a sched is missed it may mean that the aeroplane is in trouble or it has not arrived at its designated landing site. In such cases, the relevant authorities are alerted.

Charter rates

Cessna 172 Cessna 206 Cessna Caravan King Air 350

Aeroplane type Seats (including pilot) Rate Cessna 172 2 – 4 A$610 Cessna 206 2 – 6 A$810 Cessna Caravan 2 – 8 A$710 King Air 350 2 – 8 A$710

Note: Rates shown are per night. Charters begin at 11.00 am on the first day (start day) and end at 11.00 am on the last day of the charter (end day). Seats indicate the number of people (including the pilot) able to be accommodated in each type of aeroplane. For safety reasons, each plane must be occupied by the pilot and another passenger during actual flight. Hence, the minimum number of people expected on each aeroplane is two. The cost covers the aeroplane and standard equipment and is irrespective of the actual number of people in the party.

Project case study – AV8R Fantasy Flights Document v1.0

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Diving equipment

AV8R Fantasy Flights have a range of diving equipment available for hire – these include facemasks, snorkels, flippers and wetsuits. SCUBA equipment includes all these together with air tanks. Hiring cost of diving equipment is additional to the aeroplane charter cost.

An example of available equipment and daily hire costs is shown in the table below.

Equipment item Daily hire cost Wetsuit A$15

Mask/Fins/Snorkel A$15 Weight Belt A$10

Full Scuba Kit A$80

Current System

Two receptionists in the office receive and finalise all charter requests. A qualified diver looks after maintenance and hiring of SCUBA gear from a warehouse section at the back of the office and the proprietor, Captain Chuck Yeager (retired airforce pilot), oversees all aspects of the business. They have one office computer.

Currently AV8R Fantasy Flights have a largely paper-based system where an Agreement to Charter form is posted or emailed to the hirer and the signed agreement is sent back to the business. Details of charters are kept on spread sheets. Details that are currently recorded are:

• Name of one person nominated by the charterers to be responsible for the charter (designated pilot)

• Pilot’s address, phone contacts and email •

Details of the charter include:

• The type of aeroplane required • Start date of the charter • End date of the charter • The number of adults in the party • The number of children under 14 in the party • Any special needs

Accounting

When a booking is made full payment is required no later than 60 days prior to commencement of the booking, by credit card or cheque. No receipt is issued as in both payment methods the customer will have a record of payment from their financial institution.

Project case study – AV8R Fantasy Flights Document v1.0

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Problems associated with the current system

• Only one staff member can access the records at a time which causes bottlenecks and possible loss of revenue;

• There is some duplication with paper and electronic records. Staff and proprietor report that they find this cumbersome and difficult to manage;

• Records are held in computer applications plus in paper form; and • The system does not provide an effective means for keeping customer demographic data. This

could come in the form of customer profile information (e.g., preferences, chartering, etc.) as well as when/where to contact them.

Due to these problems, some aeroplane charters have not been handled well and customer complaints are increasing.

The desired new system

Chuck has identified his major priority is to create a system that ties together all the key elements of charters and equipment hire. He has hired your company, Pacific System Integration Group (PCIG) as consultants to carry out analysis and develop the specifications for a new automated information system.