Scheduled Maintenance Program Development for the Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor via the Maintenance Review Board Process Utilizing MSG-3

Abstract:
Scheduled maintenance remains an important aspect within the aviation industry to uphold the inherent safety and reliability of aircraft so that ownership of such aircraft should remain justifiable to the operators. The Maintenance Review Board Process utilizing MSG-3 logic describes a collaboration between the national aviation authorities, aircraft manufacturers, aircraft operators, and equipment manufacturers to derive a scheduled maintenance plan with the purpose of ensuring safety and reliability of an aircraft, while remaining cost-effective. As the industry pursues means to improve this aspect, a review of the Maintenance Review Board process utilizing MSG-3 logic applied to the Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor demonstrates the effectiveness of these current standards for a new technology. The history of the certification process for the AW609 sets a foundation that will serve as a point of reference for future programs with coming advancements such as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL). This case study reports details of the process for the AW609 to provide insight from a practical perspective. A brief review of MSG-3 and unique features of the AW609 are provided to support the case study. The subsequent review of selected challenges encountered during the process provide valuable lessons learned.

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