Patent Publication Number: US-2007112487-A1

Title: Integrated maintenance and materials service for fleet aircraft and system for determining pricing thereof

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention generally relates to maintenance of commercial fleet vehicles, especially aircraft, and deals more particularly with a centrally managed, integrated maintenance and materials management service providing turnkey maintenance for multiple fleets of aircraft.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Maintenance of commercial aircraft fleets requires the coordination of multiple service and information providers, as well as part suppliers. Line and base maintenance operations required to support aircraft flight readiness require up-to-date service manuals, maintenance repair records, engineering drawings, trained personnel, specialized tools, facilities, parts and an array of other resources. The logistics required for deploying, warehousing and maintaining inventories of repair parts at multiple service locations is also complicated, since parts must be procured from multiple suppliers as well the OEM aircraft manufacturers. Supply chain management and coordination of service providers is made more challenging where fleet aircraft serve wide geographic areas, making centralized service and inventory control by the airline operators impractical.  
      While some minor maintenance, e.g. line maintenance, is performed by certain airline operators, most operators either perform their own extensive maintenance (typically performed at base maintenance facilities) or outsource their maintenance by contracting with MROs (maintenance, repair and overhaul organizations). The airline operators nevertheless remain largely responsible for managing the material supply chain, performing service operations, coordinating ground service equipment, and managing information flow, including compliance with regulatory and maintenance certification requirements such as Air Worthiness Directives (ADs). Consequently, multiple commercial airlines must dedicate identical resources for maintaining the internal infrastructure and personnel needed to manage the various service and material management activities outlined above.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a centralized, integrated maintenance and materials management system, which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. The present invention is directed toward satisfying this need.  
      In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for managing the maintenance of fleet aircraft for customers, comprising the steps of: providing each customer with aircraft maintenance service during an interval of time, the maintenance being sufficient to maintain the aircraft in flight readiness; and, charging the customer a fee for the maintenance service based on the number of flight hours each aircraft in the fleet is in service during the time interval that maintenance service is provided. The maintenance may include furnishing line and base maintenance, repair, overhaul and parts. The method may also include furnishing each customer with a guarantee that the aircraft provided with the maintenance service will demonstrate a pre-selected level of performance reliability and availability during the time interval that maintenance is provided.  
      The fee charged to the customer may be adjusted based on numerous variables, including the performance reliability of the aircraft during the time interval that maintenance is provided. Each customer may be furnished with a guarantee that the aircraft will be maintained in a state of flight readiness for at least a pre-selected minimum period. The fee may be adjusted based on the availability of the aircraft, as well as upon any of the following criteria: the number of aircraft in the customers fleet provided with the maintenance; the number of flight cycles and the length of each flight for each aircraft provided with the maintenance service; and the number of flight destinations at which each aircraft arrives. The maintenance service may include managing expendable and rotable parts inventory and logistics necessary to maintain the aircraft in a flight ready state.  
      According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for servicing a customer&#39;s aircraft fleet, comprising the steps of: managing the maintenance service for the aircraft over a time interval using a single management service provider (MSP); charging the customer a fee for the MSP&#39;s management service; and, adjusting the fee based on variable data related to the use and performance of the aircraft.  
      The managed maintenance service may include all of line and base maintenance for the aircraft, and all parts necessary to perform these maintenance tasks. The MSP contracts with geographically distributed maintenance, repair and overhaul service organizations to provide the maintenance, repair and overhaul services required by the customer&#39;s aircraft. The MSP may provide the customer with various performance guarantees, and the fees the MSP charges the customer may be adjusted based numerous criteria and variables, including the MSP&#39;s ability to satisfy the performance requirements of the guarantee. The MSP may share responsibility for satisfying the guarantees with the MROs and material suppliers.  
      One advantage of the invention is that the overall costs of fleet aircraft maintenance are reduced because maintenance and materials for multiple fleets are integrated under the management of a single, centralized management service provider, thus eliminating or reducing the need for each airline operator to maintain the personnel and infrastructure normally needed to manage maintenance service and material providers. Another advantage of the invention resides in the flexibility of the system to adjust fees charged to the aircraft owner/operator, based on a variety of operating variables, and as well as performance guarantees and incentives. Integration of maintenance and materials management under a single service provider results in reduced administrative costs, minimizes re-authoring of technical procedures and lowers life-cycle investments. Additionally, the invention improves aircraft reliability and availability while providing better alignment between design, support and service of the aircraft. A still further advantage of the invention is that aircraft maintenance data is converted into fleet wide statistical information covering all of the airlines, which can be made available to and used by all customers for benchmarking purposes.  
      Various additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention can be more fully appreciated with reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings that follow. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the prior art system for managing maintenance and materials for a fleet of aircraft.  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the organization of an integrated maintenance and materials management system.  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the primary functional elements of the system shown in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the functional elements of the integrated materials management and the maintenance services in relation to a central operations center.  
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing the organizational relationship between the aircraft owners/operator, MROs, parts suppliers and the central operations center.  
       FIG. 6  is a combined block and diagrammatic view showing additional details of the integrated materials management and maintenance system, including aircraft on-board systems, and depicting the transformation of data into information, and the sharing of this information between the MSP, the suppliers and the MROs.  
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing the flow of data and information in the integrated materials management and maintenance system.  
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing how aircraft configuration data is gathered and used in the integrated materials management system.  
       FIG. 9  is a combined block and diagrammatic view showing how on-board aircraft data is gathered and stored as centralized information.  
       FIG. 10  is a combined block and diagrammatic view showing how the stored, centralized information is used to provide integrated maintenance and materials services.  
       FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic view showing how the flow of parts is tracked in a centralized, common data base.  
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing how customer pricing is established for the integrated maintenance and material services.  
       FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic view useful in understanding the integrated materials management system of the present invention, showing the relationship between material suppliers, the materials supply integrator and the customers. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       FIG. 1  shows the prior art arrangement for managing maintenance and materials for a fleet of aircraft. Aircraft in a fleet controlled by owners or operators  30  receive maintenance and repair parts from various sources, primarily under the management and control of the airline operators  30 . The airline operators  30  perform their own maintenance or contract with maintenance, repair and overhaul organizations (MROs)  32  who provide major maintenance services at so-called base maintenance locations, however in some cases the MROs  32  may also provide minor maintenance services at so-called line maintenance locations or facilities. The aircraft OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers)  34  provide OEM parts to airlines and the MROs  32  which are maintained in the MRO&#39;s inventory  42 .  
      The MROs  32  also maintain an inventory  42  of parts which they procure directly from part suppliers  36 . Tooling, ground support equipment (GSE) and facilities  40  are procured by both the airline operators  30  and the MROs  32 . Similarly, technical manuals and training  38  are obtained by both the airline operators  30  and MROs  32  from the aircraft OEM  34  and the suppliers  36 . Thus, it may be appreciated that the current system for providing maintenance services and related materials to the airline operators  30  is highly decentralized, relies on complex logistics and requires each airline operator to maintain infrastructure and dedicated personnel to manage both internal and external maintenance services and the material supply chain.  
      Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  which shows how maintenance service and material providers are realigned in a centrally managed, integrated maintenance and materials service (IMMS) system  44 . The IMMS  44  is managed by a single management service provider (MSP), sometimes also referred to herein as an integrator, which may be, for example, the aircraft OEM  34 . As will be discussed later in more detail, the MSP has responsibility for managing the MROs  32  and suppliers  36 , as well as managing the necessary manuals, training  38 , tooling, GSE and facilities  40  and parts inventory  42 . The MSP provides the IMMS to each of the airline operators  30 , essentially as a turn-key service, relieving the airline operators  30  of the need for managing MROs, parts inventory, etc. Optionally, the MSP may provide the airline operators  30  with only centrally managed maintenance, or centrally managed, integrated materials management (IMM).  
       FIG. 3  shows the overall functional relationship between the MROs, parts suppliers, customers and central management of maintenance functions provided by the MSP. The MSP controls a central IMMS operations center  46 . The operations center  46  receives various kinds of data from aircraft onboard systems  48 , and converts this data into centrally stored information which is used in the management of the IMMS. As will be discussed later in more detail, this onboard systems data may include for example, flight log records, data from a flight record recorder, aircraft health management and aircraft configuration information. Information is exchanged between the operations center  46  and the airline customers  30 . For example, information is obtained from the airline operators  30  relating to performance of the aircraft, departure and arrival information, reliability data, etc. The information from the on-board systems  48  and the airline operators  30  is used for a variety of purposes at the operation center  46 , including scheduling and ordering of parts, scheduling and ordering of maintenance operations and determining aircraft utilization that is converted into the price charged to the airline operators  30  for the services rendered by the MSP.  
      Information is exchanged between the MROs  32  and the operation center  46  which facilitates scheduling and coordination of base and/or line maintenance for the customer&#39;s aircraft. Finally, information is exchanged between the operation center  46  and the part suppliers  36  who are managed directly under the IMMS system by the MSP.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 4 , integrated material management  62  and maintenance services  64  are controlled and managed by the central operations center  46  using information about the aircraft obtained from on-board data gathering systems which will be discussed later in more detail. The central operations center  46  may provide an airline operator customer with either maintenance services  64  or the IMM service  62 , or both. As used herein, integrated maintenance and material services or IMMS means a service program provided to a customer that combines and integrates both maintenance services  64  and the IMM  62 .  
      As will be discussed later in more detail, IMM  62  includes management by the MSP of OEM parts  66 , supplier parts  72 , parts inventory management  68 , management of parts/logistics  74 , warranty management  70  and spare part provisioning  76 .  
      The maintenance services  64  include line maintenance  78 , base maintenance  80 , management of tooling, ground support equipment and facilities  82 , maintenance planning  84 , management of reliability programs  86 , and maintenance engineering  88 .  
      In the case where the MSP provides the airline operator customer  30  with only IMM as a standard service, the MSP assumes responsibility for procuring the parts, which the MSP then deploys to the airline operator  30  or to the MROs  32 . The aircraft OEM  34  retains ownership (legal title) of the parts, but the customer  30  takes responsibility for warehousing the parts inventory. As will be later discussed, a server is maintained onsite at the parts warehouse which is networked with the operations center  46 .  
      When the customer  30  removes a part from the warehouse for use in servicing an aircraft, the removal of the part from inventory is electronically communicated through the onsite warehouse server to the operation center  46 , thus allowing the MSP to maintain real time records of the part inventory at the customer&#39;s warehouse. This real time information is used by the MSP to allow timely reordering of replacement parts, and just-in-time delivery to the customer&#39;s warehouse in order to maintain part inventories at optimum levels. When the operation center  46  receives notice that the customer has removed a part from the warehouse inventory, ownership immediately passes to the customer  30  and the customer is invoiced for the part. This business model allows the MSP to accumulate historical information concerning the type and number of parts used by the customer  30  at multiple warehouse locations, which aids the MSP in efficiently managing part inventory levels and the logistics of part delivery. Moreover, this accumulated information concerning the parts used by the customer aids the MSP in providing data to pricing model used to charge the customer for the services provided by the MSP.  
      The IMM program described above allows the aircraft OEM  34  to purchase parts based on the customer&#39;s forecasted consumption. As a result, it is generally necessary to carry lower levels of inventory, and fewer parts are required to be written off to obsolescence. Moreover, the IMM parts management program facilitates balancing and pooling of part inventories at differing customer warehouse locations.  
      In contrast to the IMM program utilized as a stand alone service, the management and deployment of parts is handled in a different manner when the MSP provides the customer  30  with IMMS, as will be discussed below in more detail. Briefly, the customer is not required to warehouse most parts under the IMMS program since the parts sourced either from the OEM  34  or suppliers  36  are supplied directly to MROs  32  in connection with the maintenance provided by the MROs  32 .  
      Attention is now directed to  FIG. 5  which shows in greater detail how IMMS provided to customers is managed by the MSP using a central operations center  46 . The MSP contracts with and manages MROs  32  who provide onsite line maintenance  92 , generally at locations where the customers  30  fly. The MROs  32  also provide the customers with base maintenance, coordinated by the central operations center  46 . In instances where unplanned maintenance is required, based on on-board systems, the operations center acts as a global integrator of the parts, engineering, services and maintenance tasks to perform the necessary work to remedy the fault. In IMMS, however, the operation center  46  manages the entire materials supply chain, ordering parts directly from the OEM  96 , network suppliers  98  and various other suppliers  36 , and arrange for their delivery to the MROs  32 .  
      In one possible business model, the MSP pays the suppliers  36  based on aircraft flight hours, or where the parts involve expendables, the charges are based on consumption. The operations center  46  manages deployment of the parts either directly to the customers  30  (where maintenance service is not provided by the MSP), or to the MROs  32  (where IMMS is provided). In either event, the MSP provides up to 100% of the customers part requirements which are managed by the MSP until the exchanged part is installed on the aircraft. Under IMMS, the MSP provides a guaranteed level of service to the customers  30 , and as can be appreciated from  FIG. 5 , the operations center  46  managed by the MSP acts as a single point of management and invoicing for the entire materials supply chain.  
      Reference is now made to  FIG. 6  which shows details of the architecture of the IMMS program for aircraft fleets. Broadly, a number of onboard data gathering systems  48  gather and download aircraft data through, for example, wireless links, broadband, narrowband or other suitable communications systems to the operations center  46  where the data is converted to information that is stored and used to manage the IMMS program. It is also possible to download the data through hard communication connections when the aircraft is on the ground. In the preferred embodiment, MROs  32 , airline operators  30  and suppliers  36  are connected to the operation center  46  through a suitable communication link, such as for example, an internet web portal  100 .  
      The onboard data systems  50  include a variety of devices and record management systems interconnected through an onboard data bus  48 . A core network of applications connected with bus  48  includes, for example electronic log book records  144 , which is an electronic flight bag application  142 , as flying configuration records  140 , an onboard as flying configuration application  138  and an onboard health management function application  136 . The electronic flight bag application  142  provides the aircraft pilot with electronic charts, aircraft performance calculations, electronic documents, fault finders and electronic check lists. The electronic log book record  144  includes information related to aircraft faults that have been recorded onboard, or entered manually by the crew or aircraft personnel. The as flying configuration application  138  and AFC records  140  provide information concerning the current configuration of the aircraft. The onboard health management function  136  comprises aircraft system monitoring functions that relay, in real time, the current status of the aircraft systems which can be used to make repairs after the aircraft lands. Line replaceable units (LRU)  153  as well as RFID tags  148  provide information concerning other onboard components used to determine the as-flying configuration of the aircraft.  
      U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/173,806 [Attorney Docket No. 04-1156] filed 30 Jun. 2005 entitled “Integrated Device for Configuration Management”, (Inventors Marc R. Matsen et al), shows how RFID tags may be used to track aircraft configuration is incorporated by reference for all purposes. U.S. Patent Application No. 60/718,884 [Attorney Docket No. 01-1030] entitled, “RFID Tags on Aircraft Parts”, filed 20 Sep. 2005 by (Inventor: Michael C. Muma) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/973,856 [Attorney Docket No. 03-1371] entitled: “Reducing Electromagnetic interference in Radio Frequency Identification Applications”, filed 25 Oct. 2004 by (Inventor Kenneth D. Porad) also show use of RFID technology useful to implementing the present invention and are incorporated herein for all purposes.  
      The data provided by the onboard systems  50  is wirelessly communicated by any of a variety of communication links including a satellite  122  forming part of SATCOM  132 , a proprietary wireless internet connection such as Connexion SM  provided by the Boeing Company, wireless link  128  and associated terminal wireless infrastructure  120 , aircraft communication addressing and reporting systems (ACARS)  126  as well as cabin wireless networks  124  which communicate to the operation center  46  through interface devices  116  typically used by aircraft mechanics. Systems suitable for use in wirelessly transmitting the data are disclosed in US Patent Application No. US 2005/0026609 A1 published Feb. 3, 2005, and US Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0003872 A1, published Jan. 2, 2003, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated by reference herein.  
      Additional onboard systems suitable for use with the present invention are disclosed in copending applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/976,662 entitled: “Wireless Airport Maintenance Access Point” filed 27 Oct. 2004 [Attorney Docket No. 04-0691] to Allen and Mitchell; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/191,645 entitled “Airborne Electronic Logbook Instances and Ground Based Data System”, filed 28 Jul. 2005 to Yukama et al. [Attorney Docket No. 04-1202], U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/176,831, entitled “Distributed Data Load Management System Using Wireless Satellite or ACARS”, filed 07 Jul. 2005 to David L. Allen et al. [Attorney Docket No. 04-1203]; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/199,399 entitled: “Methods for Fault Data Transfer from Airplane Central Maintenance Systems to Electronic Flight Bag Systems and Electronic Logbook (ELB) Application”, filed 08 Aug. 2005 to Yukama et al each of which is incorporated by reference.  
      Wireless link  128  is a system that utilizes wireless local area network technology to transmit data throughout an airport environment enabling instant sharing of data between aircraft, passenger terminals, maintenance operations, etc. In one possible embodiment of the invention, onboard data is uploaded to a server site  146  which includes an ELB server  112  and an AHM server  114  that are in turn connected in a network with a central maintenance and engineering management (MEM) server  108  at the operations center  46 . Also included at the operations center  46  is an in-service data program server (ISDP)  110  as well as an IMM server  118 , both of which servers are connected by a network to the MEM server  108 . A supplier management terminal  106  connected with server  108  allows communication with suppliers, while a finance business management terminal  104  connected with server  108  allows management of financial issues. The IMM server  118  is connected to the MROs  32  and operators  30  via the web portal  100 , and is connected with the suppliers  36  via the onsite IMM site server  102 .  
       FIG. 7  shows, in block diagram form, the flow of information and data between the onboard systems  50 , MEM server  108 , the suppliers  36  and the MROs  32 . In one possible embodiment, all faults registered by the OHMF  136  are logged in the ELB  144 , filtered and delivered to a ground based server which collects these faults, as well as unfiltered faults directly from the OHMF  136 . The ground based server site  146  communicates with the MEM server  108 . Other techniques are possible for delivering the faults to the server  108 . Both IMMS and non-IMMS airline maintenance history is provided to an in-service data program server (ISDP)  110  which also exchanges information with the IMM server  118 .  
      A maintenance performance tool box (MPT)  150  exchanges information with server  108  and the server site  146 . The MPT uses intelligent documents and visual navigation methods to assist technical operations staff to troubleshoot aircraft systems and manage structural repair records, parts and task cards. The MPT  150  provides 3D models for recording, reviewing and analyzing structural repairs, making use of accumulated repair knowledge and maintaining records of repair activities for one or more aircraft. The MPT  150  also acts as the repository for historical maintenance records for each aircraft which are required to be maintained by regulatory authorities. The central MEM  108  uses the data it receives to diagnose on board problems and form a prognosis for those problems. As can be more easily seen in  FIG. 7 , the customers  30  have access to an array of information and tools resident in the operations center  46  using the World Wide Web  100  to access the portal  100 .  
      One part of the IMMS system resides in the ability to determine the current configuration of aircraft, since parts and functional units are added, replaced or deleted on a routine basis. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the MEM server  108  maintains a record of the current as-flying configuration which is used to manage both maintenance and materials for the aircraft. The as-delivered configuration data  154  is provided to the server  108  which defines the configuration of the aircraft as initially delivered to the customer. Information concerning the allowable configuration  156  of the aircraft is also stored in server  108 . Part on/off transactions derived from a variety of information sources  158  are provided to the server  108  and these transactions as well as the as-flying configuration are delivered to the IMM server  118  to be used in the management of materials. The part on/off transactions are recorded by devices such as the electronic log book, line events, RFID tags, LRUs, and hangar events, as shown at  158 .  
      Attention is now directed to  FIG. 9  which shows in more detail the organization of information stored at the operations center  46  based on data derived from on-board applications and systems  48 . The AHM server  114  stores recorded faults, airplane health status, fault forwarding information and predicted maintenance information, while the ELB server  112  stores maintenance history, flight information in terms of the flight number hours and cycles of the aircraft, write-ups by the pilots and maintenance action sign offs.  
      The MEM server  108  stores part information, information concerning structural repairs, current detailed specific information and allowable configuration information relating to the aircraft. The IMM site server  102  stores inventory and material data, stocking location information, part quantity information, forecasting information, planning information and transaction information. Finally, the ISDP server  110  stores in-service data warehouse information and component maintenance data as well as shop findings. Servers  102 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114  are connected in a common network or through the Internet so that all of the stored data can be transmitted and shared in real time by the servers and used by the MSP to manage the IMMS system. Other forms of information storage devices and communications links between them are also possible.  
      The information collectively stored in servers  102 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 , and  114  is organized to form a centralized maintenance information technology system  160 , although these servers need not be in the same physical location. Electronic storage devices other than servers may be utilized. This information is arranged to facilitate management of various functions required by the IMMS system, including configuration and records management  162 , reliability analysis  164 , line/base maintenance execution  166 , line/base maintenance planning  168  and maintenance control data  170 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 10 , the information system  160  is used by the operations center  46  and central MEM server  108  to manage IMMS functions shown at  172 , including line maintenance, MRO maintenance and engineering support and base maintenance. The configuration and records management information  162  is used to provide a variety of reports shown at  174  which may include AD (Air Worthiness Directive) compliance, major repairs, maintenance history, component tear down, allowable configurations and as flown configurations.  
      The reliability analysis information  164  is used to produce reports shown at  176 , including chronic system reports, chronic component reports, cancellation and delay information, engine condition monitoring and IFSD (In Flight Shutdown). The line/base maintenance execution information  166  is utilized to produce maintenance control data shown at  178  which may include flight schedules, dispatch items, deferrals, AOG&#39;s (aircraft-on-ground) and diversions. The line/base maintenance planning information  166  is used to produce a variety of maintenance planning reports, including maintenance forecasts, station/facilities scheduling, coordination of maintenance, and maintenance visit packages (task cards and parts). The maintenance control data information  170  is used to execute maintenance as shown at  182  which includes accomplishment and sign off of all the signed maintenance tasks and receiving and processing log book data.  
      The information collected by the on-board systems  50  and transmitted to the operations center  46 , as well as the related maintenance reports generated at the operations center  46 , are provided to the MROs  32  who use this data and information to improve the quality of the maintenance they provide to the customers  30 . For example, the MROs may use the information to improve the scheduling of maintenance facilities or ordering parts and materials. The MROs can also use the data to better predict the type of maintenance that may be required. The data can also be used to improve the technique for gathering the data. For example, the data may be used to develop new fault codes recorded by the ELB  144  which ultimately result in improved maintenance procedures. Similarly, the data transmitted to the operations center  46  from the on-board systems  50 , and the related maintenance reports generated at the operations center  46 , may also be fed back to the materials and part suppliers  36 , who may advantageously use this information to improve the quality of the materials and parts they supply either to the customers or to the MROs  32 , or to solve quality related problems. For example, the on-board data might be used by the suppliers to analyze why a part exhibits sensitivity to vibration.  
      Systems suitable for use in performing some of the functions discussed above are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/360,295 entitled “Vehicle Monitoring and Reporting System and Method”, by Basu et al, filed 07 Feb. 2003 and published 12 Aug. 2004 as US Patent No. 2004/0158367; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/985,601 filed 10 Nov. 2004 entitled “System, Method and Computer Program Product for Fault Prediction in Vehicle Monitoring and Reporting System”, by Maggione et al [Attorney Docket No. 05-0919] as well as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/884,553 filed 02 Jul. 2004 entitled: “Vehicle Health Management Systems and Methods [Attorney Docket No. 03-1292] as well as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/360,295 entitled “AHM Data Monitoring Business Process”, filed 07 Feb. 2003 by Maggiore et al [Attorney Docket No. 02-1259], each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
       FIG. 11  shows the flow of a typical part in the IMMS system, and the use of RFID (radio frequency identification) tags to aid in tracking and identifying parts. At  184 , the manufacturer of the part enters information into a central common database  198  which includes the part number, serial number, mod status, effectively, etc. This information is programmed into an RFID tag which is attached to the part. The part is shipped from the OEM to the appropriate MRO and received for inspection at  186 . Upon receipt at receiving inspection, the RFID tag is read and the information is automatically recorded into the database  198  to register receipt of the part. When the part is received into inventory at  188 , the RFID tag is again read and the status/location of the part is recorded in the database  198 . Other forms of readable identification tags, labels or devices are possible.  
      When the part is removed from inventory and is ready to be installed at  190 , the MRO records installation of the part at  192  and this entry is recorded in the database  198 . Unserviceable parts are removed at  194  and returned to inventory stores, where they are routed either to an MRO shop or to the OEM for repair. As shown at  196 , the unserviceable part is received, repaired and returned to inventory, and the associated RFID tag is updated as required. Also, when the part is removed from inventory, the as-flying configuration records are updated in the MEM server  108 .  
      As previously described above, under the IMMS system, the airline operator customers purchase all line and base maintenance, all expendable and rotable parts management, and receive guarantees of minimum aircraft reliability and availability. The MROs perform all line and base maintenance, provide tooling and facilities and share performance guarantees and incentives with the IMMS service provider. The part suppliers own, distribute, repair and overhaul their parts, and also share guarantees and incentives with the MSP.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the MSP may charge the customers  30  for the IMMS or IMM services provided based on a charge per flight hour using a variety of criteria to establish the price charge. For example, the price charge can be made to be dependent on the size of the customer&#39;s fleet that is receiving service, aircraft utilization (cycles and length of flight), the number of destinations for the aircraft over a service period, the operating environment of the aircraft, the number and location of line and base maintenance stations, and other factors. Either flat or graduated rates, or both, may be used. The charge rate may be adjusted based on performance agreements between the service provider and the customer. For example, in the event that the reliability of an IMMS maintained aircraft falls below an agreed-on standard, or is not available for at least a minimum length of time during a service period, the charge rate may be adjusted by an agreed-on amount to compensate the airline operator for the time the aircraft is out of service.  
      Charges and performance guarantees may be reconciled and adjusted periodically, for example, monthly or quarterly. The MSP may charge the customer a minimum base fee if the total number of aircraft flight hours is less than an agreed-on minimum level. The exact method and criteria for establishing pricing will vary depending on the agreements between the MSP, MROs  32 , part suppliers  36  and the customers  30 . Generally however, the method for establishing pricing can be implemented using one or more software-based algorithms using common techniques well known by those skilled in the art.  
      Responsibility for guarantees given by the MSP to the customers may be shared with the MROs and the suppliers. For example, if the MSP fails to meet the guarantee criteria promised to the customer due to sub-performance by an MRO  32 , that MRO&#39;s portion of the revenue from the customer can be adjusted downwardly. Similarly, if the MSP fails to meet the guarantee criteria due sub-performance by the parts supplier, the MSP may penalize the supplier.  
      Pricing to the customer may also be adjusted to reflect agreed-on performance incentives given to the MSP which it may share with the MROs  32  and part suppliers  36 . For examples, the customer  30  and the MSP may agree on an incentive arrangement where the customer  32  pays more than the normal charge rate, e.g. 105% of the normal rate, where the MSP exceeds the guarantee criteria by more than an agreed-on amount.  
      The revenues generated by the IMMS system may be shared with the MROs  32 , if desired, particularly for unscheduled line maintenance. The MROs&#39; share of the revenue may be based on the number of departures, for example, and factored by the MRO&#39;s dispatch reliability performance. NFF (no fault found) charges due to improper trouble shooting can be charged back to the responsible MRO.  
      The calculations to determine reliability preferably distinguish between chargeable and non-chargeable events. Chargeable events are those caused by known or suspected malfunctions of the aircraft, its systems, components or processes/procedures used by the IMMS service provider, or the MRO. Preferably, only chargeable events are counted in calculating the reliability rate. Non-chargeable events are those events that are beyond the control of the IMMS service provider or the MRO.  
      Reference is now made concurrently to  FIGS. 4, 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  13 , which depict details of the IMM system.  FIG. 13  shows the relationship between the airline operator customers  30 , and an integrated network of parts and material suppliers  36  operating under the control of a parts network manager or integrator  94 , which can be the MSP, previously described. As used wherein, “parts” and “materials” may be used interchangeably, although it should be noted that the term “materials” generally refers to consumable items in the aviation industry. The integrator  94  may be, for example, an aircraft manufacturer  34  which is also one of the part suppliers  36 , providing OEM parts to the customers  30 , or to the MROs  32 . Use of an aircraft OEM as the network integrator  94  takes advantage of the OEM&#39;s existing infrastructure and logistics management systems. As previously discussed, IMM provides a common infrastructure with suppliers, including an information architecture that permits the sharing of data between the integrator  94 , suppliers  36  and customers  30 .  
      The IMM system leverages the ability of a single management entity to effectively gather and disseminate data and information up and down the aviation services supply chain. By integrating and managing this supply chain using a single integrator  94 , costs to the customer  30  can be significantly reduced, and part delivery performance can be improved. A significant opportunity is created for cost and delivery performance improvement to the suppliers  36  through improved part demand information from airline operations. Through aggregation and analysis, the suppliers  36  receive significantly better information than they would otherwise receive in a disaggregated supply chain. In effect, the IMM of the present invention provides the right parts and data, at the right place, at the right time, and at lower cost.  
      IMM effectively transitions responsibility for materials and part management from the customers  30  to the IMM integrator  94 . The IMM integrator  94  is responsible for maintaining information relating to the inventories and material data, stocking locations, quantities in each inventory, forecasting material requirement for each customer  30 , planning and documenting material transactions. As previously described, the suppliers  36  retain ownership of the parts which the suppliers  36  deploy directly to customer specified warehouses, which may be located near the customers  30 , or near MROs  32 . The customers  30  are responsible for maintaining the warehouses and physically controlling the part inventories. Certain functions of the IMM are located on-site  202  ( FIG. 13 ) at the customer&#39;s (or MRO&#39;s) location, including a local IMM site server  102  and related customer interface terminal (not shown) which are networked with the central MEM server  108  ( FIG. 6 ). The local site server and customer terminal allow the customer  30  to plan inventories, interface with maintenance operations at the operations center  102  and interface with global operations and suppliers  36 .  
      Central management of the aggregated supply chain by the IMM integrator  94  results in the integration of processes as well as information, allowing coordinated responses to customer requirements. Network inventory is optimized by the IMM integrator  94 . Supply and demand information is shared in the supply chain network, and component information is captured and shared. The integration and management of the supply chain provides the IMM integrator  94  with sufficient control to enable it to provide certain guaranteed service levels to the customer  30 . For example, the IMM integrator  94  may guarantee the customer  20  that quantities of parts will be maintained in inventory sufficient to meet the customer&#39;s service level requirements, with penalties to the IMM integrator  94  if the guaranteed service level is not met.  
      The scope of the materials included in the IMM system may extend to rotable, repairable and expendable parts and materials. A variety of plans for charging the customers  30  for parts may be followed. For example, rotable and repairable service can be charged on $/flight hour basis, where offered by the suppliers, to support line or base maintenance. The $/flight hour can be adjusted for aircraft utilization (range/cycles/hours), operating environment, or geography. The customer may be given the option to be charged a flat or a graduated rate. In the event that the suppliers do not offer rotable/repairables services on a $/flight hour basis, the IMM integrator  94  may provide these parts on a per-repair basis. Expendables can be charged on a per-transaction basis, i.e., as they are used by a customer  30 . Support for incident repairs can be provided on a time and materials cost basis. In one business model, the IMM system excludes: engines (except engine buildup components), system and process functionality associated with warehouse management and receiving, performance of warehouse management and receiving, consumables (shop supplies), tools, and ground support equipment.  
      The ability of the customers  30  to plan and manage aircraft maintenance, and troubleshoot parts and materials issues is enhanced in the IMM system when the customer also utilizes the MPT  150  previously described with reference to  FIG. 7 . The MPT  150  is a navigational tool comprising an integrated suite of applications that increase productivity and performance of maintenance related tasks. Active links within 2D and 3D system diagrams and structural models take the customer directly to the information it needs to assist with maintenance issues, including parts and other materials. The MPT  150  is an integrated set of productivity tools that unifies maintenance activities with access provided to technical publications, training, maintenance, and engineering information. The customer&#39;s technical publications department may use the MPT  150  to create customized airline documents, modify original equipment manufacturer manuals, and create task cards.  
      The MPT  150  uses  3 D airframe models and schematics of aircraft systems as “graphical” tables of content that enable point-and-click access to all of the information related to a specific aircraft location or component. Advanced data mining techniques and search capabilities are used by the MPT  150  to collect all relevant information (e.g. fault code lookup, repair history, maintenance procedures, part numbers, maintenance tasks) into the troubleshooting process. The MPT  150  automates the workflow required to review and approve documentation revisions and changes, while providing real-time editing tools that allow the customer to create and add their own documentation and notes.  
      The MPT  150  gives maintenance personnel such as mechanics, fast and efficient access to technical information. Embedded support tools facilitate various everyday tasks, including Service Bulletin evaluation. The MPT  150  provides a collaborative workspace and reuse of successful engineering solutions that reduce maintenance operations costs. The intuitive navigation techniques used by the MPT  150  help the user construct a mental image of the solution and takes the user directly to the applicable information. Real-time information updates ensure that the customer has access to the most current technical information. The MPT  150  is hosted at the operation center  46 , and is available to the customers  30  globally, 24 hours a day.  
      The MPT  150  is useful in assisting the customers to manage parts and materials. The real-time aircraft data derived from the ELB  112 , AHM  136  and stored as-flying configuration information can be used to determine possible part or system failures. This information can also be used to actively manage part tasks passed on to suppliers through MPT  150 . The customers  30  can be charged a fee to use access and use the MPT  150  when participating in the IMM system, which may be the same as or different than the fee that the customers  30  would pay if they are not participating in IMM. Customer access to the MPT  150  can be included in the fees paid by the customer for IMM. For example, a fee for providing the customer with access to MPT  150  can be included in the $/flight hour charge to the customer for rotable and repairable service, in support of line or base maintenance. Alternatively, the fee for the MPT  150  can also be included in the flat charge or graduated rate for the IMM service.  
      The MPT  150  can also be advantageously used in combination with the IMMS previously described to further increase efficiencies, and reduce the cost of providing turnkey integrated maintenance and materials service to the customer. The MPT  150  is a valuable tool that allows the MRO or other service organization to actively manage the customer&#39;s maintenance programs. The cost of the MPT  150  can be priced into the rates charged by the MSP or integrator to the customer for the IMMS. The improved maintenance management efficiencies may act as an incentive for the customer subscribe for the IMMS plan. Additional details of the MPT  150  are disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0187823 A1 published Oct. 2, 2003, and US Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0177540 A1, published Aug. 11, 2005, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated by reference herein.  
      As previously described, the centralized maintenance information technology system  160  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) allows a variety of reports to be generated that are useful in planning and executing maintenance tasks, and predicting future aircraft health. The reliability analysis data  164  and the related reliability reports  176  can be advantageously used to establish benchmarks for managing the IMMS and IMM programs previously described. For example, the data collected from the on-board systems  50  can be converted to reliability information that establishes the reliability of each aircraft. This information is based on data from the on-board systems  50  comprising the aircraft flight hours, utilization and health of the on-board systems including recorded faults. The reliability information can be used to assess the effectiveness of the maintenance service and parts provided under IMMS or IMM, both for individual aircraft and for the fleet. Using the reliability information for the individual aircraft, benchmarks may be established for the entire fleet, and these benchmarks may then be used to determine to assess reliability over time.  
      The benchmarks for fleet reliability can be used to determine whether guarantees by the integrator to the customer of reliability or availability have been met. Similarly, the benchmarks can be used to determine whether fleet reliability has exceed certain incentive criteria which entitle the integrator to certain benefits promised by the customer. As previously discussed, the fees the integrator charges the customer for the maintenance service and the parts can be adjusted upwardly or downwardly from a base rate, depending on whether or not the benchmarks established for reliability or availability have been met or exceeded.  
      Although this invention has been described with respect to certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific embodiments are for purposes of illustration and not limitation, as other variations will occur to those of skill in the art. For example, while the preferred embodiment has been described in connection with its application to aircraft fleets, the invention can also be used with and successfully applied to other types of vehicles and vessels.