Maintenance of an Electronic Powerplant Control System: A description of how the air intake and engine control systems of the Olympus 593 powerplant for Concorde have been designed for rapid servicing

AS in every section of industry the costs of international airline operations continue to rise at an alarming rate. With the introduction of the wide‐body jet transports and SST during the 1970s it will be essential for the operators to reduce the aircraft turnaround to an absolute minimum. Rolls‐Royce and Ultra Electronics Ltd. recognised this need earlier in the electronic system development programme for the Concorde's Olympus 593 powerplant. The engineers concerned with the programme accepted that rapid servicing facilities coupled with maximum ‘go’ capability, were essential requirements if the airlines were to be able to maintain tight operating schedules which will be necessary if Concorde is to be a commercially viable aircraft and not just an expensive prestige flag carrier. Accordingly the design and layout of both the air intake and engine control systems is based on a definite set of maintenance rules which may be summarised as follows: