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 which 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 takeoff 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.