Advances in airframe load monitoring methodology for individual aircraft tracking

The paper describes an Airframe Load Monitoring (ALM) methodology proposed by Australia's Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group for tracking aircraft manoeuvre and buffet loads using airframe strain sensors. The methodology is based on a direct monitoring and multi-variable analysis of high-frequency sensor data for predicting the buffet-induced dynamic loads and a multiple linear regression analysis of selected aircraft flight parameters and sensor data for predicting the airframe manoeuvre load components. The ALM methodology aims to provide a robust and verified Individual Aircraft Tracking (IAT) solution for a range of military aircraft and could support on condition‟ maintenance by accurately predicting loads for any flight condition and any changes in fleet usage patterns, thus improving fatigue tracking of the airframe. The ALM methodology offers considerable advantages over legacy approaches and has a potential to account for aircraft-to-aircraft variability and aircraft configuration changes by directly monitoring the airframe's response to in-flight loading.