Risk management in aviation

Risk management in aviation is a key component in safety management and it is a way to allow the taking measures to prevent negative events.

For any given risk as can identify some important considerations when evaluating the risk such as if there are any existing control measures in place. Many companies already have some risk controls in place, and it’s crucial to record these. They are part of the overall measures that mitigate risk. By factoring them into the risk assessment, the resultant risk may be reduced to acceptable levels by these measures.

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Aircraft Reliability Data Interrogation and Presentation

Aircraft reliability is important during operation, and it is also a mandatory consideration as a part of the aircraft management for EASA registered aircraft – reliability monitoring can increase on time performance, reduce non-scheduled maintenance events, and help manage risk by tracking trends or highlighting issues.

We can get the reliability data from multiple sources – note that the data source is important, and consideration is always required here in selecting the appropriate and useful sources.

We can look at maintenance findings from AMP (Aircraft Maintenance Program) tasks and these findings are assessed at intervals, such as an HMV (Heavy Maintenance Visit) or C check); additionally, we can also consider the operational non routine maintenance entries such as from line maintenance and or light checks.

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Airbus Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Awareness

Airbus uses ALS documents for maintenance, and these are broken down into Parts covering topics such as Safe Life Airworthiness Limitation Items or Certification Maintenance Requirements.

Airbus MPD is a comprehensive tool that complements the ALS (Airworthiness Limitation Section) system, it includes information from various ALS groups, however the MPD doesn’t encompass all the ALS information so a clear understanding of how MPD and ALS interact is crucial.

Key Considerations Alongside the Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) is other documents and considerations including for example Service Bulletins: Inform operators about non-mandatory changes, Airworthiness Directives: Mandatory instructions from aviation authorities to address safety issues or other factors then such as Reliability, modifications, national requirements, etc.

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Lease Transition – APU Condition / Implication Considerations

The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) of an aircraft regarding lease transition conditions functions similarly to an engine and the APU also has its independent monitoring system. The APU’s operational hours and start-ups (cycles) are tracked distinctly, unrelated to the aircraft’s hours or cycles.

Typically, the hours are lower than the cycles for an APU as it is started when ready for flight or on engine shutdown and not commonly run for long periods of time.

Also on the APU are various individual components such a generator or starter, the APU might also include Life Limited Parts (LLPs). Its performance is consistently monitored through indicators such as oil consumption, Exhaust Gas Temperatures (EGT), and internal inspections using a specialized camera inspection known as a borescope. Depending on these evaluations, the APU might need maintenance off the aircraft, commonly termed a “shop visit.”

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Boeing MPD (Maintenance Planning Data) Document Awareness

The Boeing MPD (Maintenance Planning Data) Document guides aircraft maintenance by outlining tasks, intervals, and important note, awareness of this document is of key importance.

This is an OEM (original Equipment Manufacturer) document for an aircraft manufactured by Boeing, and it is designed to cover the aircraft and aspects that Boeing are responsible for. There are multiple components on any aircraft that are either customised based on operator or complex and instructions for maintenance issued by their respective manufacture, so the OEM MPD is only one consideration for the maintenance.

Different aircraft manufacturers will have their own version of the document or a similar instruction for maintenance; the important aspect is to know that the tasks are required to maintain airworthiness, the aircraft is designed with the tasks defined as a critical part of maintaining the aircraft in a safe condition.

The tasks ensure that any issues from operation or over time are rectified and therefor maintain a managed and lower risk for operation.

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