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.
EASA Regulations and CAMO Responsibilities: Under EASA regulations, the Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) must monitor and assess maintenance effectiveness. This includes two main areas: Reliability Monitoring and Engine Health Monitoring.
Reliable aircraft operation requires data-driven metrics to measure performance, identify trends, and make informed adjustments to the Approved Maintenance Program (AMP) and based on reliability data, airlines can modify their AMP to better suit their operational environment and experiences.
The reliability program aims are to recognize the need for corrective action, establish the required action, and determine its effectiveness. An effective reliability program require establishing the extent and scope of the program, defining specific organizational structures, establishing reliability data, creating a corrective action system, and scheduling regular reviews.
Small Fleets or operators with only a few of one aircraft type can face challenges, data can be skewed by the disproportionate impact of individual aircraft, necessitating careful application of metrics and alert levels.
To assist us in reliability we can use alert levels and these thresholds indicate when an area or defect requires investigation. Setting appropriate alert levels is crucial, especially in small fleets where data from a limited number of aircraft can trigger alerts disproportionately.
Transition CAMO or CAMO’s used for storage during leasing might have a non operational view point and so it’s essential to establish a method for reliability monitoring that aligns with limited operation and data availability.
Above the metrics is something called engineering judgement in Reliability Analysis. This recognises the value of qualified personnel with an understanding of reliability concepts. Their role involves gathering, preparing, and analysing technical and statistical data, focusing on system and component performance, and identifying adverse trends and so they can also highlight something of concern themselves.
In essence, aircraft reliability is a comprehensive approach that encompasses various aspects of aircraft operation and maintenance. It requires careful data analysis, adherence to regulatory requirements, and an understanding of the principles of modern maintenance practices. By focusing on these areas, aviation professionals can ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of their aircraft.
This is a small summary only and to learn more follow us on LinkedIn or why not consider our Aircraft Reliability Training Course