CAMO & Aircraft Leasing Aircraft Reliability: Understanding and Enhancing Airworthiness

Aircraft reliability, crucial for airworthiness, encompasses various aspects including On Time Performance (OTP), Component and Engine reliability, Diversions, Aircraft On Ground (AOG) incidents, Unscheduled Maintenance, Acceptable Deferred Defects (ADD), Passenger Delay Costs, and Service Providers.

Reliability is required to be monitored for the vast majority of aircraft and operations, it can be used to ensure your maintenance plan is effective and monitor adverse trends; it also is important during and aircraft lease return or delivery as for example it can see thresholds changed for maintenance tasks.

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The process of aircraft lease return involves and review of installed aircraft components considerations is guided by certified lists or inventories from the lessee that will in part be confirmed physically. We will consider some of these components that are categorized as Hard Time (HT) and On Condition/Condition Monitored (OCCM), with each requiring specific attention to ensure compliance with lease return conditions.

Hard Time (HT) Components:

Definition and Limits: HT components have a defined life, typically counted in aircraft hours, cycles, or calendar days, set by the manufacturer (OEM). At their defined limit, actions like overhaul or bench testing are mandated, irrespective of the component’s condition.

Importance of Remaining Life: It’s crucial to assess the remaining life of HT components. If an aircraft is returned with components close to their life limit, it could lead to significant replacements soon after.

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When returning an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) from lease, there are specific conditions and documentation requirements that must be met.

These requirements ensure the APU is in working condition and meets regulatory and lease standards.

Shop Visit Report: After an APU SV (Shop Visit), a comprehensive report is required, detailing the work done.

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In aircraft leasing Life Limited Parts (LLPs) or Safe Life Items (SLIs) in aircraft are critical engine and airframe components with a predefined operational lifespan. SLI/LLPs are replaced after reaching their specified life limit based on flight hours, cycles, or age to ensure safety. Essentially after a defined period of usage for safety and compliance with aviation regulations the parts become scrap.

As an example as to the importance of Life Limited Parts (LLPs) and Safe Life Items (SLIs) we can focus on the significance and management of LLPs and SLIs in aircraft engines. These components, crucial for safety, have predetermined operational lifespans based on flight cycles, hours, or calendar time.

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In aircraft leasing, operators may modify and then remove these modifications within the same lease period. During a mid-lease inspection, lessors evaluate modifications and aircraft capabilities through a physical inspection. The findings are reviewed in the Technical Specs at the Pre-Redelivery Meeting (PRM) to ensure compliance with redelivery conditions and the documentation of modifications performed and deactivated during the lease.

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