Improved Maintenance Practices-The Airlines' Contribution to Lower Ownership Costs

From the day the first aircraft carried a revenue producing payload and opened the era of commercial aviation, airline managements have been faced with the problem of reducing aircraft propulsion system maintenance and equipment ownership costs. This paper outlines the major innovative changes in maintenance concepts, philosophy, and practices which have resulted in the airline industry continually meeting these goals, regardless of aircraft/engine type, size, and technology status. The influence of these changes on past and present aircraft propulsion system designs, their effect on future designs, and additional changes necessary to achieve further improvement in aircraft propulsion system ownership or life cycle costs, are also discussed.