Report on visit to four North American airlines

The object of the visits was to discuss the current state-of-the-art with the Engineering Departments of several North American airlines which were known to be leading the field in the application of certain advanced techniques. In the limited time available it was decided to confine the talks mainly to those topics on which the chosen operators were known to have had unique experience. This note is presented in chronological sequence and is only intended to be a record of the information gathered; no derivations, or comparisons with other operators, are made. United Air Lines were visited first and reliability programmes are detailed, although the application of critical path techniques to aircraft and engine overhaul is summarised. Continental Air Lines are noted for their use of the continuous maintenance philosophy, and this is reported next. The third visit was to Air Canada where talks ranged from the applications of operations research and electronic data processing (EDP) techniques to aircraft evaluation procedures. Finally the PanAm aircraft system reliability programme is reviewed, together with a note on their general LDP engineering and maintenance activities. A bibliography is given, although it should be appreciated that some of the items listed contain information which may be commercially secure

Towards an integrated decision making framework for aero engine MRO contract management in the productisation context

One of the most critical elements in the ‘productisation’ of service adopted by today's aero-engine Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) companies is the match between customer demands and the operational capabilities of the MRO shop. Currently, the service contract is offered based upon experience and intuition rather than on scientific approach. This paper presents an integrated decision making framework to design contracts that considers demand and operational parameters. In addition to literature survey, the approach adopted in building the framework is a case study research, which obtains data from semi-structured interviews, observations and the company archives. Two main perspectives, dynamic operational parameters and shop floor operational parameters, were identified as essential and pertinent to the design and management of the service contract in the productisation context. The framework will incorporate both perspectives to support productisation

Simulation Modeling and Analysis of the Impact of Individual Mobility Augmentee Loss at the Tanker Airlift Control Center

The Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC) operates as the execution arm for Air Mobility Command\u27s Global Reach mission. The Command and Control Directorate (XOC) monitors the execution of missions tasked to the 18th Air Force. Approximately 70% of the personnel on the operations floor are considered Individual Mobility Augmentees (IMA). Adjustments in manpower, specifically the loss of IMAs, at the TACC/XOCG may impact their responsiveness to mission deviations. This research develops a discrete event simulation using a combination of SME and historical data to capture the activities of a section of the personnel on the operations floor and the potential impact of a reduction in manpower. Our analysis shows a statistically significant reduction in the number of missions completed along with a statistically significant increase in the total mission deviation time with both levels of manpower reductions examined. For the two specific levels of manpower losses, we implement the concept of resource pools to complete tasks for a group of mission desks instead of specific personnel assigned to each desk. We also examine whether our reduced manning models can adequately handle the anticipated reduced post-contingency operation mission load. Once again we pool resources and still find a very heavy workload with some noticeable improvements in system performance with longer duration shifts

Operational concepts for selected Sortie missions: Executive summary

An executive summary is presented of a Spacelab concept study conducted from August 1973 to June 1974. Background information and a summary of study conclusions are given. Specific data are reported for the quick-reaction carrier concept, software and mission integration, configuration management, documentation, equipment pool, and integration alternatives. A forecast of the impact of a second launch site, mission feasibility, and space availability for the Spacelab are also discussed

Advanced Manned Launch System (AMLS) study

To assure national leadership in space operations and exploration in the future, NASA must be able to provide cost effective and operationally efficient space transportation. Several NASA studies and the joint NASA/DoD Space Transportation Architecture Studies (STAS) have shown the need for a multi-vehicle space transportation system with designs driven by enhanced operations and low costs. NASA is currently studying an advanced manned launch system (AMLS) approach to transport crew and cargo to the Space Station Freedom. Several single and multiple stage systems from air-breathing to all-rocket concepts are being examined in a series of studies potential replacements for the Space Shuttle launch system in the 2000-2010 time frame. Rockwell International Corporation, under contract to the NASA Langley Research Center, has analyzed a two-stage all-rocket concept to determine whether this class of vehicles is appropriate for the AMLS function. The results of the pre-phase A study are discussed

Project plan for joint FAA/NASA head-up display concept evaluation

Head-Up Display (HUD) concept for large commercial turbojet transport aircraft is considered for the its contribution to aviation safety in the form of improved performance during the approach and landing phase flight. The basic reearch areas represent fundamental questions that are still unresolved and which were considered important to the effective use of the HUD by pilots. Project documentation and management responsibilities are outlined

Scheduling challenges within maintenance repair and overhaul operations in the civil aviation sector

Aircraft Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) corporations provide two types of service: light and heavy maintenance. Typical MRO problems are related to scheduled and unscheduled aircraft maintenance because of the large number of components and parts that need a lead-in time for delivery and the consequent scheduling of work. This paper focuses on the significant causes of such problems affecting MRO operations. It addresses three major factors as follows: OEMs, Maintenance schedule and manpower and turnaround time. By a systematic review and analysis of scientific literature sources, it is shown that aviation industry standards do not permit aircraft to be scheduled unless they are maintained according to and comply with the stringent standards related to airworthiness. What seems to be important is effective maintenance schedule planning since this reduces time and cost, and enables aircraft to be maintained in a short time. Unfortunately, light maintenance remains beyond the control of airlines because no time allowance is programmed into flight schedules for such events vs increase the number of flight schedule per da

Management: A continuing literature survey with indexes, March 1974

This special bibliography lists 597 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in 1973