A Statistical Analysis of Aircraft Maintenance Costs

This paper outlines the merits of the recursive regression model in analyzing aircraft-failure and manhour-cost data. The parameters of this model are estimated from maintenance data generated by the entire Boeing B-52 fleet during the period August 1965 to August 1966. Failure rates and manhours of repair are found to be a significant function of the calendar age of the aircraft, the length of the missions flown, the time spent in low-altitude flight, and the technological developments in newer aircraft. The estimated parameters are used to develop a marginal cost analysis that can be used by the decision maker in evaluating his maintenance operation. Although the paper is based on a specific military operation, the method outlined can be used to determine maintenance costs for any large jet aircraft.