Review of Practices to Integrate Aircraft Mass Properties Management and Development Processes

Vera De Paula,Maiara Rosa,Henrique Rozenfeld

doi:10.5028/jatm.v12.1177

Abstract

The mass properties of aircraft directly influence their performance and costs, and are particularly subject to high uncertainties in the early phases of the development process. As aircraft systems become more detailed, their mass properties are iteratively updated. Those updates, in turn, may lead to rework on aircraft systems. To avoid excessive iterations, aircraft manufacturers employ the mass properties management (MPM) process during their development processes. However, even when this approach is adopted, the continuous cycle of increasing weight and redesigning aircraft structures represents a significant challenge, which may lead to the cancellation of programs. One of the causes of this problem is inefficient integration between MPM and the aircraft development process. We propose a concept to significantly enhance the integration between MPM and aircraft development processes, suggesting feasible practices to support its implementation. The research methodology combines a review of the literature, an exploratory case study, a three-year longitudinal case study, and verification by experts. The results describe a concept for integrating aircraft MPM and development, supported by 16 practices. They also include a characterization of the MPM process based on literature and practices, which lists 17 characteristics divided into four categories: Goals/Strategy, Activities/Information, Resources/Tools, and Organization/Roles and Responsibilities.

Highlights

IntroductionWeight and other mass properties (such as the center of gravity and moments and products of inertia) are essential for the performance of an aircraft, such as cruise efficiency, payload, range, etc. (Gnadt et al 2019; Raymer 2012, de Weck 2012)
Weight and other mass properties are essential for the performance of an aircraft, such as cruise efficiency, payload, range, etc. (Gnadt et al 2019; Raymer 2012, de Weck 2012)
Phase 2 covers the identification of the main factors that influence the MPM, based on a literature review (Section “Mass Properties Management - Theory”)

Summary

Introduction

Weight and other mass properties (such as the center of gravity and moments and products of inertia) are essential for the performance of an aircraft, such as cruise efficiency, payload, range, etc. (Gnadt et al 2019; Raymer 2012, de Weck 2012). Weight and other mass properties (such as the center of gravity and moments and products of inertia) are essential for the performance of an aircraft, such as cruise efficiency, payload, range, etc. The empty weight of aircraft is an important piece of information in cost estimation methods employed in the early phases of development (Curran et al 2004; Nicolai and Carichner 2010; Raymer 2012; Roskam 1990), when information about actual masses is still unavailable (Heim and Pertermann 2008). Given the impact that modifying mass properties may have on aircraft performance and costs, these properties should be tracked and managed throughout the development process. Aircraft manufacturers normally employ Mass Properties Management (MPM) during their product development process, following recommended practices such as the SAWE RP-7 (Society of Allied Weight Engineers) (SAWE 2004) and technical overviews such as the SAWE TO-1 (SAWE 2018).

Methods

Results

Conclusion