Enhancing Trust and Transparency for IVHM adoption in multi-stakeholder aircraft maintenance
ARP8476
This document delineates a recommended practice specifically designed for maintenance processes that involve more than one aviation maintenance stakeholders. These include (but are not limited to) Manufacturers, Operators, Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO) organization and Part Providers. The framework's primary aim is to establish the necessary input for evaluating and accepting (or rejecting) implementing a prognostic model based on their impact from the unique perspective of each stakeholder. As a result, this document is best suited for maintenance processes involving Line-Replaceable Units (LRUs), as these system enter a repair process that involved multiple parties external to the airline operator.
This document emphasizes economic efficiency in maintenance operations, targeting tasks that are currently managed on a corrective (or run-to-failure) basis outside of the Airline Maintenance Program. As a consequence, this framework neither encompass safety related tasks, nor regulators dynamics. Neither does this document focus on intercompany trust, focusing solely on external relationships among different entities within a aircraft maintenance ecosystem.
The use-cases within this framework's purview include facilitating agreements for warranties, sharing prognostic tools, and potentially trading algorithms, always with a focus on practical implementation. However, it is crucial to clarify that while the framework can act as a reference for contractual discussions, it does not cover the full scope of warranty management and is not a guide for contract creation between stakeholders.
Additionally, the framework respects the confidentiality constraints inherent in sharing raw sensor data and algorithm logic. It does not require stakeholders to disclose proprietary methodologies but provides a methodology for assessing the utility and reliability of prognostic models while safeguarding sensitive information.
This document does not prescribe specific technologies or methodologies but rather provides guidelines applicable to a range of prognostic tools, from traditional physics-based models to advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine-Learning (ML) based algorithms. It is designed to be adaptable and generic, accommodating the evolving nature of prognostic technologies in aviation maintenance.
Rationale: The advent of prognostic models in aviation maintenance has opened new avenues for predictive maintenance and operational efficiency. However, the full potential of these prognostic tools remains underutilized due to a lack of standardized collaboration among key stakeholders, including manufacturers, operators, repair & overhaul organizations, and part-providers. Each entity is not only protective of their intellectual property but also apprehensive about external prognostic models potentially undermining their interests. This protective stance, combined with a prevalent lack of awareness and understanding of algorithms develop by other parties hampers implementation of prognostic models. Consequently, to promote utilization of prognostics where multiple stakeholders are affected, there's a need for a common language on prognostic performance and value. Such a framework is envisioned to transparently evaluate the performance and economic value of prognostic models while maintaining the confidentiality of proprietary algorithms. It aims to foster an informed, collaborative methodology for stakeholders to confidently assess externally developed prognostic to enhance operational efficiency in non-safety critical maintenance domains.
