AN EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIABILITY, OVERHAUL PERIODICITY, AND ECONOMICS IN THE CASE OF AIRCRAFT ENGINES

This paper presents the quantitative relationship which has been found to exist in the case of a widely used transport airplane reciprocating engine between:

1. (a)
   The probability of requiring unscheduled removal for premature overhaul, and
2. (b)
   The operating time since overhaul.

This first relationship is used to:

1. (a)
   Determine the relationship between direct maintenance costs and overhaul periodicity, and
2. (b)
   To evaluate the economic incentive which exists with regard to alleviation of reliability problems which are experienced in service.