Aircraft base maintenance consists of hundreds of tasks including preventive, corrective and modification tasks which have to be scheduled to a few check moments per year. The allocation of tasks to checks represents a complex scheduling problem due to the constraints involved. A mixed integer linear programming model was developed to optimize the allocation of the complete base maintenance workload and maintenance checks over a four year period. The model optimizes for resource capacity and interval efficiency. CPLEX has been used as solver. An iterative solution technique loops around the model which yields an approximate optimal solution. The model was developed for a large MRO service provider. Its outcome provides the MRO with an integral insight into the complete workload distribution over a tactical planning horizon for all checks. This insight can help to optimize the allocation of maintenance tasks and resource capacity which will contribute to a higher fleet availability.

Following in the footsteps of the automotive industry with the successful implementation of Formula E, the E-SPARC design is the world’s first all-electric racing aircraft. E-SPARC’s mission is to proof the feasibility of a sustainable and high performance alternative for the current state-of-the-art in aerobatic racing. Thereby, the aim is to present a design worthy of competing in the popular Red Bull Air Races. Given the combination of being the world’s fastest growing international motorsport with the commitment towards reducing the carbon footprint [1], Red Bull Air Races provide the optimal platformfor the E-SPARC design. The leading design question is therefore whether an all-electric racing aircraft can be designed with performance characteristics equal to or exceeding the performance characteristics of the current competition. This report describes the design decisions and outcomes taken during the preliminary design phase, continuing upon the pusher canard configuration that was selected during the conceptual design phase...