AIRLIFE - TOWARDS A FLEET MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR CORROSION DAMAGE

Abstract

The corrosion degradation of airframes occurs in a host of different environments over the lifetime of the aircraft. Most external corrosion occurs while the aircraft is on the ground or during low-level flight. Through a knowledge of the local environment including temperature, humidity, washing cycles, rain frequency and local pollution sources as well as a knowledge of how aerosols deposit onto surfaces in flight, it might be possible to determine the incremental degradation to an aircraft resulting from any particular weather event. Given this knowledge, it would then be possible to determine how (i) aircraft base location and washing cycles may change the incremental degradation, and (ii) corrosion may be reduced over the lifetime of the aircraft through appropriate maintenance. A research program has developed a tool known as Airlife, which simulates some of the environmental variables that affect corrosion development. This paper will demonstrate how the Airlife concept could be used to manage aircraft missions, base locations and refine maintenance procedures to minimize corrosion costs.