Turnkey maintenance of a customer's aircraft fleet is managed by a single
management service provider (MSP) controlling integrated maintenance and
materials services from a central operations site. The MSP converts data
received directly from on-board aircraft systems into information it uses
to manage maintenance service providers and parts suppliers. The MSP
contracts with and manages maintenance, repair and overhaul organizations
(MROs) who perform the maintenance on the customers' aircraft at line and
base stations. The MSP either remotely manages part inventories at the
customer's site, or manages suppliers who deliver the parts to the MROs.
Maintenance planning, scheduling and execution information is exchanged
between the MSP, MROs, part suppliers and the customers through a shared
data communication network controlled by the MSP. The MSP charges the
customer for the maintenance services based on a flat rate per unit of
aircraft flying time.