Reliability & Maintenance in
Aviation
Course Materials Overview
Reliability Requirements & Small
Fleet Awareness
• Definition of Reliability
• Regulatory Requirements (EASA Part M / FAA
AC 120-17A / ICAO Annex 6)
• Small Fleet Awareness: Limited data, higher
fluctuations, OEM + benchmarking needed
Reliability & Engineering
Judgement
• Use of engineering knowledge to interpret
limited data
• Especially critical in small fleets
• Balance data with engineering intuition
Maintenance Reserve Funds (MRF)
• Funds collected by lessors for heavy
maintenance
• Covers Airframe, Engine, Landing Gear, APU
• Better reliability = optimized MRF usage
MSG – Maintenance Steering
Group & MSG-3 Principles
• MSG-1 → 747 introduction (1960s)
• MSG-2 → System-based approach
• MSG-3 → Task-oriented approach
• Principles: Preventive maintenance, Failure
consequence analysis, Logical decision process
Reliability Data Sources
• Pilot Reports (PIREPs), Cabin Reports, Tech
Logs
• Scheduled & Unscheduled findings
• Component removals, Shop reports,
Delays/Cancellations
• OEM & AD/SB recommendations
Areas to Include & Exclude
• Include: Ops data, Tech records, Component
removals, In-flight diversions
• Exclude: Cosmetic issues, Non-safety
passenger complaints
Impacts of Data on Reliability
• Better data → fewer repetitive defects
• Identify bad actors (frequent failing parts)
• Improve dispatch reliability
• Cost savings
Reliability Data Analysis
• Trend Analysis over time
• Rate-based analysis (events per 1,000 FH/FC)
• Pareto Charts
• MTBUR (Mean Time Between Unscheduled
Removals)
• Shop visit analysis
Representing Data & Information
• Graphs, Dashboards, Thresholds & Alert levels
• Benchmark vs OEM/Industry
Alert Levels
• Pre-set thresholds for abnormal trends
• Types: Statistical & Fixed levels
• Purpose: Early warning of issues
Follow-up Actions
• Root Cause Analysis
• Task escalation
• Component shop visit
• SB/AD embodiment
• OEM / Supplier review
Example of a Reliability Programme
• Data Collection → Screening → Analysis
• Alert Monitoring
• Engineering Review & Corrective actions
• Reporting (monthly/quarterly)
• Follow-up actions effectiveness