DECEMBER - JANUARYAEROSPACEDEFENSEREVIEW.COM8In My OpinionKEEPING AIRCRAFT RELIABILITY COMPETITIVE THROUGH ITS LIFE CYCLEBy Ross Peterson, Director of Engineering and Reliability, Piedmont AirlinesThe first entry into service of any new aircraft typically has a `honeymoon' phase that is a relatively trouble-free operation. This applies to both existing and new platforms. However, this phase typically lasts much longer for an existing platform's newly built aircraft. This is where feedback from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and communication with other airlines with similar fleet types is critical to gain traction in reliability, maintainability, and overall cost control as the aircraft gains time in service. Operational economics will always play a role in the ultimate life cycle of an aircraft, but if the aircraft's reliability is competitive, it can be an overwhelming factor to keep it in service.An airline's fleet size and data quality are certainly integral in the reception of its reliability input and it has to be representative of the Ross Peterson
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