A conceptual framework and an approach for handling the problem of aircraft acquisition and operation in a total quality environment are proposed in this part of the work. For this purpose, a typical acquisition process is described and the system operational and maintenance support requirements are summarized. The Aircraft Mission Support Process (AMSP) is analyzed at different levels of detail to identify the problem symptoms, causes, statement, problem solving approach and the design alternatives. This provides the necessary background and foundation for establishing a Logistic Engineering Model to support the decision making during aircraft acquisition and operation. Statistical Process Control (SPC) and process capability measures are utilized in the decision making process. To support this concept, the intended model is further developed to provide sampling experiments to pursue the required statistical analysis. This is done by using aircraft operational availability as the external performance indicator for the Aircraft Mission Support Process. Internal performance indicators are also considered. This approach can provide a mechanism for evaluation of different acquisition and/or operation options directed to continuous improvement of aircraft readiness and utilization. Part II of this work presents (AMSP) modeling and improvement procedure.