OPTIMIZATION OF AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE DOWNTIME BY HARMONIZING LIFE OF COMPONENTS DURING MAJOR OVERHAUL

A considerable amount of valuable operational life of an frontline aircraft can be conserved and effectively utilized for routine operational requirements, if component replacement downtime can be avoided during the operational cycle of an frontline aircraft. Component replacement downtime compounds to the existing scheduled routine maintenance downtimes and at times it extends much longer as certain critical components replacements warrants for a series of post replacement checks during flying prior declaring aircraft fit for routine operational commitments without restrictions. Hence optimal scheduling of the component replacement periodicity or avoiding component replacement during aircraft operational life always contribute to the increase in the operational exploitation of an frontline aircraft. This paper discusses the various downtime associated with the routine aircraft inspections during the operational cycle of aircraft. The paper also provides a brief on the various methods and tools prescribed in Maintenance Repair and Overhaul agencies undertaking major overhaul / inspection of aircraft in scheduling the component life, with an aim to achieve increased operational exploitation time during frontline exploitation.