Avionics Maintenance 2010

This paper postulates an avionics maintenance concept for the year 2010. The concept recognizes the change that is occurring in new systems toward internal fault isolation using built-in test. Currently, fault isolation data are held in the failed system or within the aircraft computer for subsequent analysis by maintenance personnel. Under the Maintenance 2010 concept, fault data would be analyzed as soon as possible during a mission to identify replacement components needed. A data link from the aircraft to a ground maintenance support system is proposed to permit further diagnosis of faults and to expedite preparation for immediate corrective maintenance action on the flight line when the aircraft returns. The concept is designed to eliminate aircraft down time while awaiting maintenance and thereby improve operational readiness.