SERVICES > Maintenence Development

The aim of the BAe 146 Life Extension Programme was to extend the life of the airframe and systems beyond 20 years from entry into service, and from the current Airframe Airworthiness Limitations (Ref. AMM 05-10-01) up to initially 60,000 flights and then 80,000 flights.

At Type Certification, the BAe 146 Maintenance Review Board Report was approved by the UK CAA for a maximum of 20,000 flights. Subsequently, this validity was increased to the current Airframe Airworthiness Limitations. This last increase was accepted by CAA on the proviso that any further increases would be dependent upon a Structural Integrity Audit in accordance with ageing aircraft working group initiatives introduced by JAA General Temporary Guidance Leaflet No. 11 'Continued Airworthiness of Ageing Aircraft'. This requirement addressed both damage tolerance and corrosion prevention.