Engine Performance Monitoring and Troubleshooting Techniques for the CF-18 Aircraft

The F404-GE-400 engines of the CF-18 aircraft are the first engines of the Canadian Forces to be maintained under a formal on-condition maintenance program. In support of this program, the Canadian Forces are developing advanced troubleshooting and performance monitoring procedures based on information recorded by the aircraft In-flight Engine Condition Monitoring System (IECMS). A suite of computer programs has been developed that enables maintenance personnel to access, display, and analyze in-flight event data recorded by the IECMS and to track the performance of individual engines based on “health indices” derived from the IECMS take-off ground roll recordings. The new techniques have been under evaluation at each of the CF-18 main operating bases for a period of approximately 14 months. Results to date indicate that the IECMS recordings provide a considerable amount of information of benefit to engine technicians and maintenance planners.