Airborne Performance Analysis by Multiparameter Sampling

Aircraft maintenance has, since its conception, relied primarily on two methods of fault detection and isolation: 1) in-flight observation and reporting by flight personnel 2) ground operation or testing of airborne systems and equipment. Both methods, even when combined to the optimum, are not always sufficient to pinpoint the exact cause of trouble or locate a defective component. A third method, which analyzes airborne system´s performance through various techniques of multiparameter sampling, has recently come into the picture and is showing significant promise for advancing the present state-of-the-art in aircraft maintenance. Systems utilizing this technique are discussed and examples of their benefits cited. These benefits not only encompass detection and isolation of defective units or components, but also include predicting impending malfunctions.