Aircraft system safety : a new approach to assessing in-service performance

Abstract

Increasingly stringent equipment performance and reliability requirements are being specified to the aerospace industry by aircraft manufacturers, driven by the expectations of both certification authorities and operators. The reality is that aircraft system and equipment reliability in service can fail to meet the design expectations. This thesis details the problem areas within the current analysis process, describing the procedures currently in use and showing what can go wrong. It goes on to propose action that can be taken to ensure safety levels are maintained and details a new approach that is unique to this thesis. The author has devised a new System Safety Compliance Model (SSCM) for ensuring that aircraft system safety standards can be better maintained. Evolved from his earlier highly successful database system at TRW Lucas Aerospace, SSCM will be: - Demonstrably cost effective - A step change in process capability, offering "something new" - Instantly accessible at shop floor level to everyone in the business - Easy to use and as automated as possible to minimise staff training requirement - Capable of performing instant re-assessment of safety performance down to system level and including consideration of a variety of operating environments and conditions - The industry standard repository of component reliability data - "Centrally" owned by a world-wide recognised industry body SSCM is the first system to operate in such a way, and will ensure that the original system safety analysis performed at the design stage, is continually assessed for accuracy throughout its in-service life. If the new methods detailed in this thesis are adopted and acted upon, there is a high probability of a reduction in the risk of aircraft systematic failure in service, leading to increased safety in aviation. The model can be equally applied to other areas of transportations uch as railways