MSG-3 Maintenance Program Creator

Structural analysis

The software supports aircraft structural analysis according to the MSG-3 guidelines. These analysis capabilities are integrated into the same analysis project with your other MSG-3 analyses.

Identify structural significant items (SSIs)

For structural analysis, another flexible hierarchical tree makes it easy to identify and organize the structural items you need to consider. You can select predefined structures and substructures based on iSpec 2200: Aircraft Systems, and easily define your own sub-substructures and structural items. Then the analysis team can use the built-in SSI selection questions to determine which items require more detailed analysis.

Perform structural analyses

For each SSI, the software provides a configurable set of rating systems that help the team evaluate the potential risk to the aircraft structure. Authorized users can customize these ratings to fit your processes and needs.

• Accidental damage (AD) analysis: For accidental damage analysis, the software guides the team to evaluate the risk of damage that might be caused by a variety of different factors, such as cargo handling equipment, maintenance procedures, runway debris, bird strike, etc. You can consider Residual Strength and Damage Growth ratings if desired.
• Environmental deterioration (ED) analyses: For environmental deterioration analysis, you can fully define the properties for each type of material that might be affected, and easily find and reuse the definition for a material that's already been analyzed. For metals, you can consider a variety of different potential corrosion types such as pitting, fretting, erosion, etc. For non-metals, you can consider factors such as humidity, solar, lightning, etc. You can also consider the Detectability rating (for metals) and the Composition rating (for non-metals) if desired.

Select scheduled maintenance (inspection) tasks

Once you have evaluated the potential sources of structural damage and deterioration, MPC provides all the tools you need to define the scheduled inspections and/or health monitoring tasks that the team recommends.

Zonal and L/HIRF analysis

The software supports aircraft zonal and L/HIRF analysis according to the MSG-3 guidelines. These analysis capabilities are integrated into the same analysis project with your other MSG-3 analyses. Using another flexible hierarchy dedicated specifically to the aircraft zones that you need to consider; the software guides you through the process of selecting which analysis method(s) are applicable and records the team's responses and recommendations. In MPC Plus only you can use versions of MSG3 Revision 2015 Vol 1 and Vol 2 that support identifying L/HIRF Significant Items (LHSIs). 

Specify the zones and select zonal-L/HIRF analyses

For zonal and L/HIRF analysis, you can select from the complete list of major zones and major sub-zones defined in iSpec 2200: Aircraft Systems. After you have defined the zones, MPC provides built-in logic to help you determine which analyses are recommended. For all of the zonal-L/HIRF analysis types, an authorized user can configure the rating system to fit your particular processes and needs.

Standard and enhanced zonal analysis

MPC facilitates both of the zonal analysis methods discussed in the MSG-3 guidelines. For any zone in the hierarchy, you can perform the Standard Zonal Analysis, which considers:

• The density of the equipment in the zone.
• The likelihood of accidental damage due to ground/cargo handling, weather, lightning strike, maintenance or operator procedures, etc.
• The likelihood of environmental deterioration due to atmosphere, corrosive products, condensation, etc.

If the zone contains wiring, you may also need to perform the Enhanced Zonal Analysis, which considers fire potential and criticality.

L/HIRF Analysis

For zones that contain lightning/high intensity radiated field protection systems (such as shielded wires, raceways, bonding jumpers, RF gaskets, etc.), the L/HIRF Analysis helps you evaluate their susceptibility to degradation from environmental deterioration or accidental damage. You can also define the systems that will help to avoid, eliminate or reduce the consequences of an L/HIRF event.

Zonal Inspection Program (ZIP)

For each zonal analysis, MPC makes it easy to define the inspections and other zonal maintenance tasks that are recommended by the team. For standard zonal analysis, you also have the option to automatically incorporate any of the ZIP candidate tasks that have been identified in other MSG-3 analyses.

Predefined and custom reports

Automated report generation in Microsoft Word

For each type of MSG-3 analysis, MPC provides a comprehensive set of reports that can be generated automatically in Microsoft Word®. For systems and powerplant analysis, you even have the option to choose from three report templates: Standard, Dassault or Sukhoi!

These reports can be prepared in a fraction of the time required to manually compile report documents. They include all analysis details in a format that is suitable for submission to the Maintenance Review Board (MRB).

• Systems and Powerplant Analysis reports include item properties, MSI selection, an embedded "Description and Operation" (D&O) document, functional failure analysis, failure effect categorization, task selection, task list and full details for each individual maintenance task. Click here to view a sample PDF of this report.
• Structural Analysis reports include structure properties, SSI selection, structural analysis summaries, an embedded D&O document and tasks. Click here to view a sample PDF of this report.
• Zonal-L/HIRF Analysis reports include zone details, zonal analysis summaries, an embedded D&O document and tasks. Click here to view a sample PDF of this report.
• Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR) that lists all of the tasks in the project from all analysis types (systems, structures and zonal), along with an attached document if supplied.

Custom reports for systems and powerplant analysis

For systems and powerplant analysis, you can create your own custom report templates that can be generated in either Word® or Excel®. You can select exactly which fields you want to include in the body of each custom report form. You can also configure the column title, width and order to fit your needs. The versatile templates manager makes it easy to reuse custom report templates again and share them with other MPC users.

Project management and data management

For all types of MSG-3 analysis, MPC provides many features that help multiple users and groups to work cooperatively on their projects, while also facilitating data entry and management.

User-friendly editing tools

All interfaces support convenient copy/paste and a built-in spell checker that highlights spelling mistakes while you are typing. For systems and powerplant analysis, you can use the F-F-E-C interface for improved usability. For example, you can choose how the hierarchy will be displayed each time you view it (fully collapsed or expanded to a level by default). It is easy to view/edit the properties of different records without having to close and re-open lots of windows.

Import and reuse existing data

The ability to easily find and reuse data from existing analyses not only saves time and helps to ensure consistency, it also provides a powerful brainstorming tool for MSG-3 working group:

• Import from another project
• Import from Excel
• Select existing "pick lists"

Links and Attachments

You can use the Links and Attachments feature to keep related information from external data files (such as flowcharts, design drawings and procedure instructions) together with the rest of the analysis. For attached D&O documents, the software can automatically insert the entire document directly into report output generated in Microsoft Word®.

Restore points to roll back if needed

You can make an exact replica of a project as it exists at specified point in time (i.e., a backup) that can be restored when it is needed. A restore point will include all data that the project contained at the time the restore point was created, including information about the project properties, security settings and project owner.

Flexible access permissions with check in/check out

The system makes it easier than ever to manage the access permissions for multiple users who are cooperating within the same database and even within the same analysis project. This includes the ability for one user to check out a project to edit offline. The data will be visible but locked for editing by other users until the project is checked back in.