FlightPro Modernasation
Deliver high quality, cutting-edge software solutions that streamline training, readiness, and operations for defence forces, aviation organisations, and emergency services.
Category
Company
Ocean Software
Year
2023 - Present
Problem
FlightPRO, a legacy operations and training management system, has been trusted by defence, government, and emergency services worldwide for decades. While its capabilities were robust, the desktop-based platform was outdated, limiting scalability and usability for modern workflows.
Our mission was to modernise FlightPRO into a cloud-based application with a refreshed design, improved usability, and scalable architecture, all while maintaining operational reliability for highly sensitive environments. The complexity of the project was immense: over 1000 screens needed redesigning, and traditional UX research with end-users was limited due to security restrictions.
My role
As a UX designer, I helped reimagine FlightPRO for the cloud, collaborating with designers, engineers, and field experts to create a modern, scalable experience. I established internal validation processes, contributed to the design system, and designed complex, reusable components to handle the platform’s critical workflows. My focus was on delivering usability, consistency, and efficiency across thousands of screens while balancing technical and business constraints.
Focus
UX, UI, Reseach and Product Design
Platform
Enterprise SaaS
Challenges
Redesigning FlightPRO was a complex undertaking, with over 1,000 screens to modernise while maintaining consistency and usability across the platform.
Security restrictions limited direct access to end-users, which required us to develop creative internal validation methods to test and refine our designs.
At the same time, the platform’s intricate workflows demanded robust, reusable components, and a scalable design system was critical to support both current operations and future growth.
Throughout the process, close collaboration with engineers, architects, field experts, and stakeholders ensured that design decisions balanced technical feasibility, business goals, and the overall product vision.
Approach
To tackle these challenges, we implemented structured internal validation processes, engaging Field Service Representatives and stakeholders to test prototypes and provide actionable feedback.
We focused on building a scalable design system with reusable components to handle complex workflows while maintaining consistency across thousands of screens.
Design workshops and alignment sessions with engineers, architects, and field experts allowed us to balance technical feasibility with business objectives and the design vision.
Iterative prototyping and A/B testing accelerated decision-making and reduced design risk, keeping the modernisation effort moving forward efficiently.
Accessibility
Accessibility was considered from the start and remained a continuous focus whenever new features were delivered. For each feature, we identified target users and ensured readability, contrast, and typography met real-world operational needs. The richness of the interface required careful choices to balance data density with legibility.
Responsivness
Responsiveness was also key: rather than building separate adaptive layouts, the UI flexed seamlessly across laptops, tablets, and mobile devices, with interactions tailored to each medium. For example, timeline events that revealed details on hover were redesigned to work via taps on touch devices, ensuring a consistent and accessible experience across platforms.
Ai & Automation
AI and automation were key to modernising the product. I led the strategy to integrate them into the design language, helping users simplify complex tasks and focus on what mattered most. Working closely with data science and machine learning teams, we developed experiences like anomaly detection in timelines to highlight critical events. This approach improved workflows today and laid a solid foundation for smarter features in the future.
Before & after
From cluttered and rigid to streamlined, scalable, and intuitive.
Outcome
Version 1 of the redesigned product was successfully delivered to early adopters, who reported smoother workflows and improved efficiency. Our internal validation framework reduced iteration time and increased team confidence in design decisions.
Meanwhile, the scalable design system provided a solid foundation for future enhancements, ensuring the product can continue evolving without major rework.
Key takeaways
This project reinforced the importance of iterative design, cross-team collaboration, and designing for real-world contexts. Modernising a mission-critical, legacy system required balancing usability, scale, and operational reliability, while introducing innovative features and scalable foundations.
Ongoing evolution - The transformation isn’t a one-off; it’s an ongoing journey as we keep refining the product with every release.