Diagnostic system and method for enabling multistage decision optimization for aircraft preflight dispatch

A method for enabling multistage decision optimization in aircraft preflight dispatch, the method comprising:

• extending an entropy-based value of information (VOI) diagnostic model to aircraft preflight dispatch, the VOI diagnostic model being constructed based upon at least one of systemic information relating to aircraft components and input-output relationships of the aircraft components, experience-based information relating to direct relationships between aircraft component failures and observed symptoms, and factual information relating to aircraft component reliability, the extended VOI diagnostic model accommodating one or more variables associated with aircraft preflight dispatch, the one or more variables comprising at least one of:
• a decision parameter;
• a utility function;
• a value function;
• a constraint;
• a cost function;
• a cost limit;
• a time deadline;
• an airworthiness guideline;
• maintenance crew expertise;
• labor availability;
• a future destination of the aircraft;
• repair equipment availability;
• and
• component availability;
• receiving an input relating to one or more observed symptoms indicative of a failed component in an aircraft;
• and
• determining an optimal maintenance action for the aircraft in accordance with the extended VOI diagnostic model and the observed symptoms, the optimal maintenance action comprising at least one of:
• performing an optimal test;
• repairing a suspect component;
• replacing a suspect component;
• deferring maintenance on a suspect component;
• delaying a flight;
• canceling a flight;
• and
• canceling a flight and replacing the aircraft.

A diagnostic system for enabling multistage decision optimization in aircraft preflight dispatch, the diagnostic system comprising:

• an interface for receiving input relating to one or more observed symptoms indicative of a failed component in an aircraft;
• a computer executable module for extending an entropy-based value of information (VOI) diagnostic model constructed based upon at least one of systemic information relating to aircraft components and input-output relationships of the aircraft components, experience-based information relating to direct relationships between aircraft component failures and observed symptoms, and factual information relating to aircraft component reliability, the extended VOI diagnostic model accommodating one or more variables associated with aircraft preflight dispatch;
• and
• a computer executable module for determining an optimal maintenance action for the aircraft in accordance with the extended VOI diagnostic model and the observed symptoms.

A method for enabling multistage decision optimization in a maintenance troubleshooting operation, the method comprising:

• extending an entropy-based value of information (VOI) diagnostic model constructed based upon at least one of systemic information relating to components of a mobile platform and input-output relationships of the components, experience-based information relating to direct relationships between component failures and observed symptoms, and factual information relating to component reliability, the extended VOI diagnostic model accommodating one or more variables associated with the maintenance troubleshooting operation;
• receiving an input relating to one or more observed symptoms indicative of a failed component in the mobile platform;
• and
• determining an optimal maintenance action for the mobile platform in accordance with the extended VOI diagnostic model and the observed symptoms.