Differential Degradation Assessment of Helicopter Engines Operated in Marine Environment

Abstract

The helicopters used for marine operations encounter harsh environment laden with salt mist, sand and dust which could accelerate the deterioration of components. Assessment of the effect of operational environment on component degradation of such helicopter engines is crucial in scheduling their maintenance and ensuring flight safety. The objective of this study is to understand and assess the differential degradation pattern of aeroengines operated in marine environment in comparison to their counterparts operated in non-marine environment. In this study, a sample of 257 ex-service aeroengines of same type and make, operated in marine and non-marine environment were randomly selected and their degradation pattern observed. After obtaining the data on component degradation, further statistical analysis was carried out and the statistical significance of the observations were computed. Out of the ten major components considered in this study, five of them were found to have statistically significant differential degradation due to operation in marine environment. For the remaining components adequate evidence was not available to substantiate differential degradation due to operation in marine environment. These findings serve as valuable input for maintenance inventory planning as well as component improvement programme.

Defence Science Journal, Vol. 64, No. 4, July 2014, pp. 371-377, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.64.4007