Ultra large aircraft (ULA)computerized maintenance management based reliability centred maintenance (RCM) methodologies and related airline maintenance program optimization

Abstract

The flagship of the 21st century, the new large aircraft, the A380, has bought us top performance and cost-effectiveness. In operational service, however maintenance is the biggest issue of this jumbo. In fact, the maintenance program developed by the manufacturer is only a general guideline intended for use by new equipment operators.

In service each airline adjusts the program to fit the specific operations in the field. Statistics show that maintenance intervals established my manufacturers may not be the best for that airline's environment.Therefore, an efficient program is crucial for the success of each airline as it enhances the safety, as well as optimizes the profitable operation.In the current airline environment many airlines do not have an identifiable or solid method for each aircraft maintenance program.

Airline's usually rely on the manufacturer's program or the recommendations of the government authority. The maintenance tasks are set in the design stage with unnecessary big safety margins. Ultra large aircraft (ULA)computerized maintenance management based reliability centred maintenance (RCM) methodologies and related airline maintenance program optimization

Therefore, this thesis proposes a solution for airlines to optimize their aircraft maintenance programs continuously. The research initiative will afford the opportunity for civil aviation industries to work together for the inclusion of all parameters, such as reliability monitoring information. The integrated reliability centered maintenance methodology was used to maximize maintenance work schedules in the operative life of the aircraft. This methodology was combined with Monte Carlo simulation and computerized maintenance management procedures. The effectiveness of this method has been proved within the case study of GP7200 engine on assisting engineers to select the best maintenance strategy.

The outcome of this research assists airlines, firstly to have a good understanding of the new aircraft technologies, and the reliability design method that the Airbus has applied. The integrated proposed methodology in this thesis will enable airlines to build a maintenance model and analyze at all levels through the Computerized Maintenance Management System. This makes it possible for airlines to use reliability monitoring data of the aircraft in the maintenance program; hence, allowing them to keep a continuous optimized maintenance program. Finally, this research also presents a new large aircraft maintenance business management model to help with the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and to help airlines with other relevant topics, which will also provide their support decision making to optimize their maintenance management further.