Operational Loads Monitoring in Military Transport Aircraft and Military Derivatives of Civil Aircraft

Abstract

Major military airworthiness authorities have developed complex constructs for aircraft type certification and ongoing airworthiness management. Central to their requirements is the need for structural usage monitoring and operational loads monitoring (OLM). Manufacturers and maintainers of modern military transports have, by necessity, embraced these requirements and are developing expertise in these fields. Most military organizations operate fleets, which contain purpose‐built military aircraft, as well as a number of civilian derivatives adapted for military use. Differing requirements between the civilian and military sector pose a number of challenges for those involved in the aircraft type certification and ongoing airworthiness management of these fleets. Within this article, the regulatory basis of structural usage monitoring and OLM are described and examples of the application of OLM for military transport aircraft and military derivatives of civil aircraft across several air forces are presented.