Aviation Industry Maintenance Techniques

What is another term used for preventative maintenance?

Scheduled maintenance

Why is aircraft maintenance a complex process?

Due to the number of components on a modern aircraft

What does the term 'systematic' mean in the context of aircraft maintenance?

Done using a fixed and organized plan

What did United Airlines study regarding aircraft components?

Lifetime failure rates and patterns Signup and view all the answers

What do the vertical axes in the failure rate patterns represent?

Failure rates, not reliability Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is common to patterns A and B in the failure rate patterns?

A definite wear out period Signup and view all the answers

What are the main reasons for aircraft maintenance?

To keep performance, reliability and availability within design limits at minimum cost; safety, availability and economic reasons. Signup and view all the answers

Give two examples of processes that can affect an aircraft over time.

Deterioration with age (fatigue, wear, corrosion) and chance failures (tyre burst, excess structural loads). Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between scheduled and unscheduled maintenance?

Scheduled maintenance is routine and plannable, while unscheduled maintenance arises from unexpected defects or failures. Signup and view all the answers

Define the term 'unscheduled maintenance' in the context of aircraft maintenance.

Unscheduled maintenance is performed to restore an item to serviceable condition by correcting a known malfunction or defect. Signup and view all the answers

What are the different levels of aircraft maintenance mentioned?

Line/ramp maintenance, hangar/main base maintenance, and workshop maintenance. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of maintenance is typically done during line/ramp maintenance?

Replacement of faulty components that will have immediate or short term impact on aircraft operations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the objective of the inspections or tests on OC items?

The objective of the inspections or tests is to determine whether or not the item can continue in service. Signup and view all the answers

When is an OC item removed for overhaul, repair, or replacement?

If an item fails an OC check, only then is it removed for overhaul, repair, or replacement. Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for OC checks to be performed?

OC checks must be performed within time limits (intervals) prescribed for each OC check. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of OC checks?

Examples of OC checks are tire tread and brake linings, scheduled borescope inspections of engines, engine oil analysis, and in-flight engine performance analysis using engine condition monitoring instruments (ECM). Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of measuring the amount of degradation in OC checks?

The amount of degradation can be measured and compared with established norms to determine how much life or serviceability remains. Signup and view all the answers

What are the requirements for an OC process to be applicable in a maintenance situation?

For an OC process to be applicable in a maintenance situation, either the OC check must be able to ensure serviceability with reasonable probability until the next OC check, or a satisfactory measurement can be made of the failure predicting data. Signup and view all the answers

What are some typical components included in a Configuration Management program?

Navigation equipment, communications equipment, lights, instruments Signup and view all the answers

Which items are often subjected to CM?

Redundant systems, coffee makers, lavatories, passenger entertainment systems Signup and view all the answers

What are the four main approaches discussed in the Development of Maintenance Programs summary?

Hard Time, On Condition, Condition Monitoring, Maintenance Steering Group Approach (MSG-2) Signup and view all the answers

What are the three different processes under the Process Oriented Maintenance approach?

Hard Time Process, On Condition Process, Condition Monitoring Process Signup and view all the answers

What does MSG-2 stand for in the Maintenance Steering Group Approach?

Maintenance Steering Group Approach Signup and view all the answers

What are the three management techniques for handling in-service interruptions in the aviation industry?

The three techniques are redundant systems, line replaceable units (LRUs), and minimum equipment lists (MELs). Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a redundant system in aviation?

In a redundant system, if one unit fails, one or more backups are available to immediately take over the function. Signup and view all the answers

What is a line replaceable unit (LRU)?

An LRU is a component or system designed so that the commonly failing parts can be quickly removed and replaced on the vehicle, allowing it to continue operation without significant interruption. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a minimum equipment list (MEL)?

A MEL allows a vehicle to be dispatched into service with certain items inoperative, provided the loss of function does not affect safety and operation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between an MMEL and an MEL?

The MMEL (master minimum equipment list) is issued by the manufacturer and indicates all equipment that can be inoperative. The airline customizes this into their own MEL. Signup and view all the answers