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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

An Investigation Into the Economic Useful Life of Commercial Aircraft as Impacted by Maintenance and Economic Variables

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>This research involved examining the economic useful life of commercial aircraft and the impact of maintenance and economic variables on the viability and longevity of the asset. The data sample consisted of the entire population of Boeing commercial aircraft produced between 1956 and 2021. The objective was to determine the effect of both maintenance and economic variables on the longevity and usefulness of commercial aircraft. As manufacturers work with issues such as service life, economic life, safety, and critical design features, those in the aviation community focus on the operational side of the equation––how long can one operate the asset, and at what point is it no longer effective to continue investing into the asset? The research presents an extensive review of the maintenance and technological advances in commercial aircraft over the last 60 years and an investigation of various aspects of the economic useful life concept in both use and application from an appraisal and industry perspective. The research focus is on the actual age at which an asset is removed from operational service and the underlying causes of such a decision.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation Business Administration
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation - Open Access
Year
2023

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Gallagher, Robert

Subjects

dc:subject × 8

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://commons.erau.edu/edt/722
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:commons.erau.edu:edt-1763

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Base URL
commons.erau.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-27
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Gallagher, Robert. An Investigation Into the Economic Useful Life of Commercial Aircraft as Impacted by Maintenance and Economic Variables. Dissertation - Open Access thesis, 2023. https://commons.erau.edu/edt/722