The next group of blocks provides data about the current aircraft operating service life.

NOTE: When a new aircraft is accepted, it is known that upon the accumulation of a predetermined number of operational service months (as opposed to calendar months) or flight hours (in some cases), the aircraft will go to a depot maintenance activity for rework. This operating interval is known as the operating period. The period number is entered in the period block. When the aircraft returns to an operating status, it acquires a new period number. The new period number is transcribed from the monthly flight summary form of the aircraft logbook. The period number is entered on the monthly flight summary form by the rework activity.

The period end date (PED) is inserted in the space labeled PED. The number of operational service months (OSM) accumulated as of the PED is entered in the space beside the PED. A corresponding section (Planning Factors for Model for Period) is set aside to record operating service period planning factors as they relate to the period. The operating service period (OSP) is the specified length of a period either defined as months or flight hours. The operating service life (OSL) is the specified length, in months, that an aircraft is programmed for total service with the Navy. The utilization rate is the average number of hours per unit period of time an aircraft is actually in flight.

The interval between PEDs is regulated by the Chief of Naval Operations and varies with different models of aircraft. Period lengths may also be changed as data on service experience accumulate. The data may indicate that a given aircraft model is so well constructed that it can operate for longer periods of time between SDLMs. The opposite is also true, and period lengths may be shortened as well. Aircraft are not operated after the last day of the month of their PED unless specific permission for an extension has been granted by higher authority.

The lower left-hand portion of the front side of the "A" card is used to record each XRAY action submitted on an aircraft. OPNAV XRAY reports are submitted not later than 1200 (local time) of the day following the date of action. OPNAV XRAY reports will include all reportable actions occurring between 0001 to 2400 of that action date. The exception to this deadline is in the case of a category I strike XRAY. A category I strike XRAY is submitted by 2400 of the date of action. Reportable actions should be posted to the card as they occur.

The XRAY serial number is entered in the first block, followed by the date of action. The ACT block is a coded letter used to identify the type of action reported. Table 6-2 is a list of OPNAV XRAY action codes. The status code block contains the current aircraft status. These codes are listed in table 6-3.

Table 6-3.-Aircraft Status Codes (Part 1) For Use With Operating Aircraft

(1) NAVAIRSYSCOM FS reporting custodians shall never report aircraft as in status code A. Aircraft in upkeep (as opposed to Rework) shall be retained in Operating/Awaiting Operating Status.