ToR RMT.0711

Reduction in accidents caused by failures of critical rotor and rotor drive components through improved vibration health monitoring systems

The use of vibration health monitoring (VHM) systems to monitor the condition of critical rotor and rotor drive components has been demonstrated to improve incipient fault detection capabilities by adding to those provided by traditional inspection techniques. However, the current certification specifications and the associated acceptable means of compliance are not sufficient to ensure that these systems can be used to optimise maintenance interventions for certain rotorcraft systems.

An amendment of the certification specifications and the associated acceptable means of compliance for large rotorcraft will clarify the means for establishing compliance with CS 29.1465 where VHM applications are used as a compensating provision for the rotor and rotor-drive system. In addition, this RMT will consider providing guidance to support the certification of VHM applications for on-condition maintenance of critical components. This should help to promote the development of VHM systems with improved fidelity and reliability.