Lead-the-force/Age Exploration

The oldest aircraft or the aircraft with the highest number of flight hours are the most likely to show the effects of time dependent damage first, Inspections of lead the force aircrafts will have the greatest potential for damage detection.

Lead-the-force is a system of scheduling a specified number of aircrafts on an accelerated schedule to accrue flight hours ahead of the rest. The effectiveness of Lead-the-force inspections depends on: number of aircrafts; Inspection method; age or for flight hours of the aircrafts. The results of Lead-the-force inspection can be applied to the remaining aircrafts.

It is recommended that five aircrafts be designated Lead-the-force aircrafts and initial inspection performed at 2000 flight hours or five years, whichever occurs first. Inspection should be detailed visual and NDI.

Introduction
Work Scope
SSI Selection
F M E C A
M T B F
Figure 1
RCMA Pt 1
Item Data
RCMA Pt 2
Answers
Inspections
Age Exploration
F S M P
Follow Up