Challenges in Maintenance Planning for On-Demand UAM Fleets

This research article investigates the challenges associated with maintenance planning for on-demand Urban Air Mobility (UAM) fleets through agent-based simulations. The study begins by outlining the significant changes in aircraft operation and maintenance that arise from the novel architectures of UAM and the shift to on-demand operations. It highlights the limitations of existing methods for optimizing aircraft assignment and maintenance planning in this new context. The authors introduce a transport and maintenance simulation where aircraft are modeled as agents within a network, detailing how maintenance schedules are developed and the competition for maintenance resources. The article also examines operational strategies to minimize waiting times and maintenance costs, concluding that a combined approach of extending maintenance facility hours and adjusting aircraft check timings is most effective. The findings indicate that operational decisions significantly impact maintenance queuing and overall transport performance, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the interlinking between operation and maintenance in UAM systems.