Ensuring data continuity and connecting the data that drives airworthiness, maintenance, and reliability — Sjoerd Stilma
Ensuring data continuity and connecting the data that drives airworthiness, maintenance, and reliability, says Sjoerd Stilma has made EXSYN Aviation Solutions a trusted partner for customers across the aviation sector.
Sjoerd Stilma is a Senior Aircraft Data Consultant at EXSYN Aviation Solutions. His fascination with aircraft and technology led him to study Aviation Engineering in Amsterdam, including internships and reliability-focused work at KLM Cityhopper. He joined EXSYN over a decade ago, contributing to the early development of the company’s analytics and reliability capabilities and supporting operators in strengthening their data processes. With extensive project experience across diverse fleets, systems, and operators, Sjoerd helps airlines build the data foundations that enhance operational reliability and long-term digital capability.
Your name, your job title, and the name of the business?
Sjoerd Stilma, Senior Aircraft Data Consultant at EXSYN Aviation Solutions.
How did EXSYN get started?
EXSYN began in 2014 as an aviation consultancy supporting airlines with MRO/M&E system implementations. Working closely with CAMO, maintenance, and engineering teams, we saw that while many operators had digital tools in place, the underlying aircraft data was often fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult to align across systems.
These experiences led us to develop aviation-native apps designed specifically to structure, validate, and connect aircraft data across the entire lifecycle. What started as consultancy evolved into a modular platform used by CAMO, engineering, reliability, and technical records teams to automate AD/SB handling, validate configuration data, monitor data health, and support fleet and system transitions. EXSYN ensures aircraft data remains clean, consistent, and traceable across CAMO, M&E, and reliability environments.
From AD/SB handling to configuration validation and system transitions, engineers can rely on a single, accurate source of truth across the fleet, which is exactly what we mean by data continuity.
“We combine aviation domain knowledge with digital capability to build solutions that enhance, not replace, engineering judgment.”
What is the guiding business principle that drives EXSYN?
Our guiding principle is that trusted aircraft data is essential for safe and efficient operations. As fleets grow more complex and digital expectations rise, engineering and CAMO teams depend on accuracy, consistency, and traceability to make informed technical decisions.
We combine aviation domain knowledge with digital capability to build solutions that enhance, not replace, engineering judgment. Automation where it helps, transparency where it matters, and data clarity at every step form the basis of our approach. Adaptability, operational discipline, and a strong focus on safety guide both our technology development and our long-term partnerships with operators.
What has EXSYN’s greatest business achievement been to date, and why?
Our greatest achievement has been establishing aviation data continuity as a practical, operational capability, not just a concept. Over the past decade, we have supported airlines in structuring, validating, and connecting the data that drives airworthiness, maintenance, and reliability.
This includes some of the industry’s most complex data migrations, fleet and system transitions, AD/SB automation efforts, and data quality recovery projects. Through our aviation-native apps, operators can keep configuration data accurate, automate compliance workflows, monitor data health continuously, and strengthen reliability programs with consistent, traceable inputs.
What matters most is the operational impact: engineering teams gain clarity, workflows become more efficient, and organizations develop the foundations needed for automation, predictive maintenance, and future AI-driven capabilities.
For us, the real achievement is seeing data evolve from a daily challenge into a dependable asset across the fleet, helping operators operate safely, efficiently, and with greater confidence.
“…engineering teams gain clarity, workflows become more efficient, and organizations develop the foundations needed for automation, predictive maintenance, and future AI-driven capabilities.”
What have been your disappointments and what have you learned from them?
Across projects, one of the recurring challenges is the complexity of aligning data across legacy systems, different fleet histories, and varied operational practices. These differences can make standardization and continuity more difficult.
This has reinforced the importance of a foundation-first approach. When operators focus on data quality, structure, and lineage before introducing advanced digital elements, the results are more stable, sustainable, and trusted by engineering teams.
We’ve learned that successful digital transformation in aviation requires both robust technology and the discipline to maintain data clarity. Supporting this balance remains a key part of our role.
In a sentence, how would you summarize what EXSYN does for aircraft maintenance customers?
EXSYN keeps aircraft data clean, connected, and continuously trustworthy, enabling engineering and CAMO teams to make safer and more confident technical decisions.
What do you feel will be the next big thing in maintenance Aviation IT?
The next major development will be the move toward connected, multi-source maintenance intelligence, where airworthiness data, maintenance history, reliability findings, engine information, and OEM feeds converge into a unified operational view.
The developments seen throughout 2025, including new aircraft types, richer engine sensor data, and increasingly mixed fleets, are accelerating demand for systems that maintain consistency and traceability across environments.
Several trends are becoming clear:
• Assistive AI integrated into engineering workflows, supporting tasks such as AD/SB interpretation, configuration checks, and early anomaly detection.
• Greater digitalization from OEMs and regulators, providing more structured and timely technical information.
• Predictive insights becoming part of reliability programs rather than isolated data projects.
• Stronger interoperability enabling CAMO, M&E, reliability, and operations to work from the same consistent data foundation.
The real step change will come from solutions built on stable, traceable, and connected data environments, giving engineers the clarity and confidence needed for smarter, faster decisions. The future will be defined by a more cohesive, data-driven ecosystem supporting safer and more efficient fleet operations.
What do you want your customers to say about EXSYN?
We hope customers say that EXSYN made a meaningful difference in how they work with aircraft data. That our aviation-native apps and support helped them reduce complexity, improve data quality, and strengthen the daily work of their engineering and CAMO teams.
Most of all, we want to be seen as a trusted partner, one that listens, adapts, and continues to evolve our solutions alongside the industry, helping operators build the reliable data foundations needed for safe, efficient, and future-ready operations.
Sjoerd, thank you for your time.
AIRCRAFT IT MRO • Q4 2025/26 • 61