A calculation methodology for the quantitative parameters of the aircraft operational cycle based on current regulatory standards

Abstract

Scientific and methodological research by leading scientists in the field of aircraft operational efficiency management has developed a comprehensive approach to determining the quantitative parameters of operational and technical characteristics. Significant accumulated experience in continuing airworthiness allows not only to define but also to objectively evaluate and confirm operational and technical characteristics at all stages of the aircraft lifecycle, creating a unified methodological framework. The developed model is based on an analysis of the aircraft operational cycle, which consists of the flight duration according to a typical profile and the ground stay duration. Key interrelated parameters for design and planning are the estimated annual flight time, defined by industry standards, and the serviceability factor. It has been established that with increasing flight duration and annual flight time, the number of operational cycles decreases, which objectively leads to an increase in the required ground stay duration to fulfill the plan. The practical value of this work lies in the calculation results obtained, which allowed for standardizing the values of ground parking duration and the possible number of operating cycles for various aircraft classes: from local airliners to long-haul aircraft. A methodology for graphical and analytical determination of the minimum required aircraft availability factor for achieving a specified annual flight time is presented. This allows for the identification of critical combinations of parameters when plan fulfillment becomes impossible without changing operating conditions. The presented methodology goes beyond a formal description of the relationships and provides a practical tool for designing new aircraft with optimized characteristics, for planning airline production activities, and for the operational management of maintenance processes. The main result is the ability to quantitatively substantiate management decisions aimed at improving the efficiency of technical operations and reducing labor and material costs for airlines.