Comparison of paper and automated fault isolation techniques

Abstract

Current flight line maintenance troubleshooting uses static fault isolation trees contained in paper based technical manuals. Future troubleshooting trends will automate the flight line diagnosis of system failures using portable maintenance aides (PMAs). The authors compare and contrast the future automated diagnostic approach to the paper based methodology of today. Field experiment results are also presented that quantify the differences between these two troubleshooting approaches. These field experiments conducted at Luke Air Force Base showed that enhanced maintenance performance was achieved when a diverse work force was equipped with PMAs.<>