A Second Life for Science
A business jet that is no longer airworthy becomes the centrepiece of the new MRO Living Lab
The Institute of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul will receive a small business jet for research into MRO technologies and processes. The Textron Citation CJ aircraft (built in 1998) will form the centrepiece of the new MRO living lab. It will support both scientific staff and students in their research and teaching work.
Finding a suitable aircraft was a major challenge, as research requires functioning systems and maintenance documentation that is as complete as possible. The aircraft that has now been ordered fulfils both of these requirements. It is currently being prepared for DLR by Atlas Air Service in Ganderkesee. This includes cutting off one of the two wings and replacing a functioning engine with a defective one. These features create ideal conditions for the research and development of new maintenance technologies at the DLR site in Hamburg-Finkenwerder.
Planned research projects include:
- Analyses of maintenance tasks such as inspections and repairs on hardware that is as true to the original as possible and in compliance with applicable regulations
- Digitalisation of MRO processes
- Investigating the tension between digitalisation / AI technology and MRO personnel
- Investigation of maintenance work on new technologies such as fuel cells or electric aircraft engines
The MRO living lab is one of five laboratories of the Application Center MRO - a unique facility for practical research into MRO technologies and processes. Here, current research topics are practically investigated, demonstrated and further developed in close co-operation with partners from science and industry. The Application Center MRO is currently undergoing extensive expansion. More about the new facilities