Line Maintenance Outsourcing

Line maintenance is seeing growth as more airlines, struggling with high fuel prices, see this as another area they no longer need in-house. New generation aircraft need outside maintenance specialists who can focus on high-tech entertainment systems, seating, galleys and lavatories.
The one qualification to this is the retirement of older aircraft, with replacement models that have longer specified intervals between inspections. As well as the high tech end, outsourced work will include cabin interiors, which is comparatively low-tech. When you consider repairing an armrest on a seat, for example, that is better outsourced, freeing up skilled mechanics for skilled activities.
Long-haul, widebody aircraft, operators offering a high degree of premium class services,legacy carriers, which typically operate large aircraft on long international flights, will start to shift more of their line work to third-party vendors. Line work has not been heavily outsourced to date, but overnight checks can be economically attractive offering efficiencies, without sacrificing operational performance.
Reciprocal carrier line maintenance contracts may be a casualty of these developments. High tech tasks will require additional training for people who work on some of the in-cabin systems, such as in-flight entertainment, galleys, lavatories and seating.
So, aircraft maintenance, including a comprehensive range of services from A checks and scheduled engine changes, through cabin cleaning and servicing, AOG service and total care programmes relating to cabin maintenance, particularly with respect to in-flight entertainment systems, on-wing engine support, LRU exchange programs and overnight checks with an efficient use of ground time, is the future. This future will be evolutionary, dictated by economics.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cessna 152 Magneto Check

MAGNETO CHECK. NEVER ADVANCE TIMING BEYOND SPECIFICATIONS IN ORDER TO REDUCE RPM DROP. Too much importance is being attached to RPM drop in single ignition. RPM drop on single ignition is a natural characteristic of dual ignition design. The purpose of the following magneto check is to determine that all cylinders are firing. If all cylinders are not firing, the engine will run extremely rough and cause for investigation will be quite apparent. The amount of RPM drop is not necessarily significant and will be influenced by ambient air temperature, humidity, airport altitude, etc. In fact, absence of RPM drop should be cause for suspicion that the magneto timing has been bumped up and is set in advance of the setting specified. Magneto checks should be performed on a comparative basis between individual right and left magneto performance. a. Start and run engine until the oil and cylinder head temperatures are in normal operating ranges. b. Advance engine speed to 1700 RPM. c. Tu
Read more

Brake System Cessna 172

                             BRAKE SYSTEM -MAINTENANCE PRACTICES              1. Description and Operation A. The hydraulic brake system is comprised of two master cylinders, located immediately forward of the  pilot’s rudder pedals, brake lines and hoses, and single-disc, floating cylinder brake assemblies located at  each main landing gear wheel. B. The parking brake system is comprised of a pull-type handle and mechanical connections which are  linked to the rudder pedal assembly. Pulling aft on the brake handle applies mechanical pressure to the  rudder pedals, activating the brakes and locks the handle in place. Turning the handle 90 degrees will  release the parking brake and allow for normal operation through the rudder pedals. C. Brake operation is accomplished by pushing on the upper part of each rudder pedal. This motion is  mechanically transmitted to the respective brake master cylinder, and through fluid-carrying lines out to  the brake assembly where fluid pressure
Read more

McCauley Propeller Installation fixed pitch

Image
Propeller Installation for all fixed pitch propellers (except 1A162 model propellers).                   WARNING: MAKE SURE THE MAGNETO IS GROUNDED BEFORE INSTALLING  THE PROPELLER OR CONNECTING EXTERNAL POWER.                NOTE: McCauley recommends that propeller mounting nuts (if applicable) be replaced at each  propeller installation, whenever possible. However, nuts may be reused providing the threads are in good condition and the locking material prevents turning of the nut on the  stud by hand. Propeller mounting bolts must be magnetic particle inspected in accordance  with ASTM E-1444 or replaced whenever the propeller is removed from the engine.                NOTE: The aircraft maintenance manual or STC installation instructions should always be  consulted for any specialized procedures applicable to a specific aircraft. Various spinner arrangements not manufactured by McCauley may be used which require additional procedures. (1) Make sure the mating surfaces of t
Read more