The “holy grail” for prognostics and health management (PHM) professionals in the
aviation sector is to have integrated vehicle health management (IVHM) systems
incorporated into standard aircraft maintenance policies. Such a change from
current aerospace industry practices would lend credibility to this field by
validating its claims of reducing repair and maintenance costs and, hence, the
overall cost of ownership of the asset. Ultimately, more widespread use of
advanced PHM techniques will have a positive impact on safety and, for some
cases, might even allow aircraft designers to reduce the weight of components
because the uncertainty associated with estimating their predicted useful life
can be reduced. We will discuss how standard maintenance procedures are
developed, who the various stakeholders are, and – based on this understanding -
outline how new PHM systems can gain the required approval to be included in
these standard practices. There have been a few limited successes in this field
already, and we will discuss the lessons learned in developing these systems.
Finally, we will review the progress that the structural health management (SHM)
community has made, and continues to make, to change the way the industry
regards automated SHM systems.
NOTE: SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate key
issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the
mobility industry. The goal of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports is to stimulate
discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of
identified issues. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are not intended to resolve the
issues they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny.