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Showing posts with label Maintenance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maintenance. Show all posts

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Low Maintenance Aircraft Parts for Aviation Purposes











Low maintenance aircraft parts are preferred because the operation cost is low. They are created from high end materials which last long and deliver exceptional performance. Apart from delivering exceptional performance they also help in reduction of operation costs. You might need not shell out heavy cash for the parts purchased. The reason being these are made out of updated technology which is preferred worldwide. Apart from selecting it worldwide the design and make is simply outstanding and out of the box. The design ensures to deliver stamina which is staggering and can outcast any other machine. Air craft parts need to be designed to suit for rugged conditions, if any one part shows signs of failing then it can cause huge loses to humans as well as the machine. Internet is one of the preferred sources for purchasing low maintenance aircraft parts. There are numerous websites available on the internet which can be selected as per your requirements. In most cases free shipping is given, if not then it is already included in the cost price of the machinery. Before signing any deal over the internet always look for proofs which can provide genuine feeling regarding a particular brand or manufacturer. Apart from genuine feeling you will get satisfaction of investing your money in the right manner. Various payment options are provided which gives the user to select according to his preferences. Apart from payment options you can even select the aircraft part through the online service. For most websites pictorial representation will be given that will help in checking the part for any type of damages. It will also show how the part looks like and how it can be installed. Online services also cater to obsolete or hard to find components. All you need to do is find out the preferred electronic manufacturers in the list and begin your purchase. Internet purchase also helps in saving time and money. You need not waste time for looking for an updated part in any retail store. You can sit in your office and order as many as you want. Bulk purchase yields more discount than usual purchases. Aircraft parts needs to be checked for performance, the only solution is to see the test sheet from a high end manufacturer.Aircraft parts therefore prove themselves to be best and preferred even if they are of any brand, you just need to buy those which have low maintenance costs attached. Online services are present which can give you lot of support.


Monday, May 28, 2012

Online Aerospace parts supplier for Aircraft Maintenance











Sourcing parts through Aerospace parts supplier can be easy if you know the specific brand for which you are looking out. There are several brands present in the market which can provide you high end output when it comes to airplane maintenance, the question here is would you like to purchase one through the internet? Technology is developing day by day and these brands are sourcing their sales though online websites. Every brand present in the industry has a website today which can be used for purchasing machinery. The intrusion of middle men has been eradicated and the common man enjoys profits. Middle costs are absent because the link has been removed, customers can buy products directly through the supplier and gain maximum benefits. Internet ensures you get the right product for the right cost. Since it is a direct purchase you can view the products as per your needs, inventory and catalogue options are present that can come handy. Pictorial representation of parts is done which can give you an easy access for buying the required part. Lycoming aircraft parts are one of the preferred brands in the list of aircraft machinery. This is one brand which is present from years in the market and has provided high end quality parts for aircrafts. You can trust this brand blindly when it comes to durability and stability as they are made from top notch quality materials. Maintenance of these parts is also less when compared to other brands, on an average most of the parts are covered under warranty. Before you select Lycoming aircraft parts you might have to search for specific part number which they manufacture. Every aircraft consists of different parts which are required for the main functioning. They have their catalogue ready which can give you the best support when it comes to online buying, you can refer this catalogue service when you have multiple purchases on standby. Most online Aerospace parts supplier also provides delivery and financing options. You need not waste time and money for arranging the transportation of purchased goods; even tracking options are provided which let you know the latest update about the dispatch. Several payment methods are also given where you save finances in the long run, this entirely reduces operation costs. Buying through a genuine Aerospace parts supplier will offer you assistance in the long run. A genuine supplier is anytime preferred than a fake one which can cause several problems regarding quality and durability in the long run. Lycoming Aviation Parts are manufactured according to high end quality parameters; you can blindly trust this brand without any problems.


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Corporate Aircraft Maintenance and Business Aviation

Corporate Aircraft Maintenance and Business Aviation

There is a paradox, business aviation is 30% down, but completion centres have never been so busy. Of course, heads-of-state, royal families, and even some high rollers remain unaffected by the recession, but this is not the whole story.

Swiss-based Jet Aviation has expanded in the USA. Lufthansa Technik and Marshall Aerospace with their business aviation centre are promoting corporate aircraft maintenance too.

Airlines who are suffering are deferring deliveries, so airframes are becoming available for VIP clients ahead of schedule and at a discount. Completion centres are therefore being pressured to accept them early. Meanwhile, many previous generation business jets are now due for refurbishment, and while airlines are looking to dump their regional jets, entrepreneurial opportunities exist to refurbish them to executive configurations, then offer them to customers for less than a new purchase. Part of the consolidation is also defensive. As the market contracts, OEMs are bringing more completion work in-house. Airlines slash capacity and offload and then refurbishment, interior upgrades, airborne Internet, adjustable LED lighting, and executive suites make a regional jet marketable as a corporate jet.

Lufthansa Technik (LHT) announced late last year that its completion and refurbishment centre at Tulsa, typically working on Falcons and Learjets, will deliver BBJs and its first A319. LHT is also repositioning narrow-body and RJ conversion support work to the former Swissair maintenance complex in Basel.

Similarly, Jet Aviation has been adding major hangar expansions on both continents. Fokker Services has moved into ACJ series completions and has a two-year business jet backlog. Comlux Completions USA is a new player, having bought into Airbus's ACJ Completions Centre in Toulouse, while its Zurich based Creatives division designs, specs and manages completions projects.

In the UK, Cambridge City Airport will now be known as Marshall Airport Cambridge with a new Marshall Business Aviation Centre with integrated corporate maintenance facility.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Aviation Maintenance Safety

Aviation Maintenance Safety

The arena of aviation is a harsh environment from the basic medium the aircraft flies in to the lubricants, fuels and additives used and even the basic materials in the structure. Fortunately, someone decided that it might be a good idea to let the maintenance people and handlers of these products know about the associated dangers with these chemicals and compounds. The result is a system known as the Materials Safety and Data Sheets (MSDS)

MSDS sheets provide a lot of information on the hazards, handling and personal protection measures recommended when working with or around these products. Notice I said recommendation and not the typical or "correct" answer of mandatory. Let's face it if you are out trying to recover a downed aircraft you may not have all the goodies you need nor will you necessarily need or have room to get all that stuff into a remote location. So we, as mechanics, take what we know we need to provide the best protection for the job being done. I know I just ticked off the hazmat people who seem to be almost obsessive on this subject but that is how we honestly work. We may not have rubber gloves available when we check a chip detector but I almost guarantee the technician is going to bring some rags or towels and something to clean with. For such a little job it is probably insignificant but when back at the shop there really isn't much reason to not protect yourself as much as possible.

The subject of protection leads us to the next subject of personal maintenance safety the casual observance of increased risk of prostate cancer in maintenance technicians and pilots within aviation. This industry seems to have its fair share of people with or who have battled prostate cancer. I personally have seen more mechanics and pilots leave the world from prostate cancer than from heart attacks, lung cancer or anything else. Is it from the chemicals, radio waves or something else? I do not know, in the words of Scotty from Star Trek, "I'm a mechanic not a doctor Jim"! I am also not sure if there has ever been any medical research into the chemical contamination of aircraft mechanics blood or long term exposure to aviation chemicals or other hazards.

When we get involved in fabrication or repair procedures using drills, rivets or grinders most technicians will use safety glasses or face shields or both depending on the maintenance operation. Sure there are times when we would rather look at our significant other through one eye but not forever. Be conscious of your actions and protect your eyes.

Noise hazards around aircraft have been known for years and ear plugs are normally available in most shops, if not then buy some. They are not expensive and you don't want the constant ear ringing or loss of your hearing from not using them. Using them is the second part of the safety equation ear plugs will do no good sitting in the desk or toolbox. When purchasing a set of earplugs try and find something small, easy to use and easily carried on your person. Soon you will find using your ear plugs as easy as putting on your seat belt and soon become habit.

Mechanics with long hair should keep their hair up or under a cap so as not to get it entangled with drills, torches or the aircraft's rotating components.

The responsibility of maintenance safety falls directly in the hands of the mechanic doing the work, just remember that responsibility also extends to your family. Your family needs you in one piece, with all your fingers, hands and eyes and in good health. Get your health check up to include the dreaded prostate exam and live a full enjoyable life as an aircraft technician.

Resource Links:

http://www.ilpi.com/msds/

http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org/

http://www.preventblindness.org/safety/

http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/links/noise.htm

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Are in Demand - What You Need to Become One

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Are in Demand - What You Need to Become One

In the world of aviation there are many factors involved regarding the operation, maintenance and upkeep of aircraft. Maybe none are more important than the role of aircraft maintenance engineers.

To understand an aircraft maintenance engineer's job and responsibility, it is also important to understand the basic role and definition of an engineer as it applies to avionics.

The definition of an aircraft engineer is 'To plan, manage, and put through skillful acts of aircraft design, planning, construction and operation'. To be more precise in describing role of aircraft maintenance engineers, would be to say that they oversee any problems, issues or defects regarding the integrity of an aircraft.

It is because of this important job description that the aviation industry constantly seeks to find newly trained engineers in order to maintain and support their respective aviation fleets. This presents a great opportunity to those willing to take it.

There are two classifications of aircraft maintenance engineers. The first is what is known as a Line Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. A Line Engineer oversees the operational integrity while the aircraft is in use...such as traveling from destination to destination. They will make inspections in a very timely manner as needed when an aircraft is waiting or soon to be departing
for travel.

The other main classification is a Base Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. A Base Engineer will attend to aircraft inspections and oversee repairs typically while the aircraft is not operating and is sitting in an airplane hanger for instance.

Aircraft maintenance engineers can often focus on a certain sub-section of aviation engineering. Some of these categories are airframe and powerplant, hydraulics, electrical and aerodynamics. Due to the complexity of most aircraft and the fact that their safe and proper operation is paramount to the safety of the people who fly in them, specific maintenance focused on one avionics discipline is very common in today's industry.

Maintenance engineers in military aviation play a particularly important role. They of course perform similar duties that commercial aircraft maintenance engineers carry out but in addition they have the responsibility of overseeing and maintaining the most advanced aircraft in the world. Because of this added responsibility, they typically have more advanced training to be able to perform their functions, such as diagnosing and maintaining advanced weapon systems. In fact, some of the training and skill that military aircraft engineers possess and perform aren't even known to the public due to highly classified planes and procedures.

Aircraft maintenance engineers typically have to complete a 4 year undergraduate study curriculum and usually 2-4 more years of specialized avionics study and training in order to become a licensed aviation engineer.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Aircraft Maintenance Management

Aircraft Maintenance Management

The customer's safety is of utmost importance and hence it is vital for a comprehensive aircraft maintenance management to be effectual. A dedicated maintenance team must ensure the maintenance of thousands of critical components on the aircraft.

There are various software packages that have been developed to ensure that there is no technical snag, before the aircraft is ready for take-off. The sophisticated computer tracking system records and logs all maintenance records of the aircraft. This maintains a record about when the maintenance of a system component is due or when the system itself requires replacement. The companies manufacturing this software also send a factory-trained team. They handle all maintenance requirements of the aircraft.

System aircraft management is a software package that is user friendly and used extensively. This software makes aircraft maintenance cost effective and time saving. The software effectively manages the aircraft and its various components. It also manages work orders, inventory, purchase and reliability reporting. This software can be installed on the computer or can also be used as a web based solution. It is configured, keeping in mind the rules of the aviation authorities.

The software is updated from time to time and the new releases are sent to the customers for installation on their hardware. Most of the software is promoted in modules that allow the customers to purchase only the modules that are required by them.

These maintenance systems are also available in the form of solutions. The customer can access the system through the Internet, from anywhere in the world, without bothering about any hardware or software. They can also rent the system and hence do not have to be concerned about the security and other back-up issues. The maintenance solutions offered in this manner are more cost effective than the software systems.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer - Unknown Fact

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer - Unknown Fact

When we are in the airport, a lot of times we can see the pilots and cabin crew walking by us and begin admiring their glamorous career on board the aircraft, but do we know who is the one responsible for the maintenance aspect of the aircraft that they working on? That person is Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, he is the one responsible to make sure that an aircraft is save to fly, to carry passengers or cargo's from one point to another point.

All aircraft maintenance engineer must have a license from local aviation authority to exercise his privilege which is to certify that an aircraft the he had inspected is fit for release to service.

How to become an engineer? Well, first of all you must have an interest on the aircraft itself because if you don't like it or feel that there is nothing special about an aircraft then it will be more likely that you will not pass the exam or test to get the license. Practical knowledge is essential as it will make it easier to answer the questions in the license exam.

There is a lot of aircraft maintenance engineer training school that offering course to become an aircraft maintenance engineer, in fact Malaysia Airlines as well as Air Asia does have their own training department to recruit new aircraft maintenance engineers.

Training normally will took around 4 to 5 years, Malaysia Airlines for instance will provide an allowances to the trainees that join their training program however they will be bonded for few years once the trainee succeed his training program and established as licensed aircraft maintenance engineer.

Aircraft maintenance engineer can be divided into few categories, it can be Line Aircraft Maintenance Engineer or Base Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, apart from that they furthermore can be divided into trades that they are rated which is either Airframe Maintenance Engineers, Engines Maintenance Engineer, Avionics, Electrical or Radio. Aircraft Maintenance Engineer can be multiple trade as well. Normally Airframe Engineer will hold Engine license. Electrical, Avionic and Radio Aircraft maintenance engineer normally has all 3 rating with them.

Line Aircraft Maintenance Engineer normally attached in front line of service as they handle the aircraft for departure or in transit in the airport terminal while Base Aircraft Maintenance Engineer is the person who will inspect an aircraft when it is in the hangar for major inspection.

For trade classification, Airframe Maintenance Engineer will responsible to the defect or inspection related to the airframe part of an aircraft which is the fuselage, flight control, hydraulic, air conditioning system, including the passenger seats and so on. Engine Maintenance Engineer for the engine and auxiliary power unit of an aircraft, same goes for other trade. However only Airframe and Engine rated aircraft maintenance engineer has the privilege to release an aircraft back to service (flight) as a whole, for instance if there is a defect of electrical component, electrical maintenance engineer will rectify it however he will only certifying whatever job he did, before the aircraft can fly, the airframe and engine engineer then inspect the aircraft base on the inspection procedure laid down by the manufacturer and then certify that the aircraft is safe to fly. Certification will be in a form of signature plus the approval number from authority or company, stamped or be wrote down on the aircraft legal document which will be on board. One copy of the signed document will be leave on the ground before the door of the aircraft close for departure.

Once he put his signature in that document, he is responsible for the safety of the aircraft, the passengers, the cargo as well as the crews. Anything happen to the aircraft, licensed maintenance engineer that released the aircraft for flight will be the one that will be called by the aviation authority for an investigation. Base on this information I'm sure know the readers will realize who has the biggest responsibility once the aircraft lift off from the ground.

Aircraft Line Maintenance

Aircraft Line Maintenance

Successful aircraft maintenance depends on experienced extensively qualified employees, devoted to problem solving. Every aircraft requires maintenance checks from light, regular maintenance checks, to heavy periodical maintenance checks. Full technical support is what the operators seek.

Full technical support covers engines, airframes and modifications, components, landing gear changes and engineering. Modification, aircraft dismantling and storage can be included alongside aircraft maintenance.

Aircraft modification

Aircraft modification is primarily to improve older aircraft models through cost effective alteration works,including design and cabin furnishings & layout alterations. When offered as aircraft line maintenance it is part and parcel of supporting a fleet.

Approved line maintenance organisations

Any such work at outstations of an air carrier must be performed by approved maintenance organisations. A carrier is encouraged to apply for outstation line maintenance approval based on management by its main base. Equally, the maintenance organisation of a carrier is regarded as an independent organisation when it performs this work on aircraft that are not its own.
General servicing work is not regarded as line maintenance. Self-handling or entrusting to another company by agreement, the carrier submits application to its local civil aviation management organisation for line maintenance approval at outstations for specific aircraft under its maintenance agreement. A carrier's maintenance organisation takes full responsibility for compliance between maintenance at outstations and 145 requirements to the approved standards.

Airworthiness documentation provided by the aircraft manufacturer must be available onsite at outstations.

Line Maintenance agreements

If a carrier's maintenance organisation entrusts other companies to perform such work or release at an outstation, it has to sign a clear maintenance agreement with the contracted company. The maintenance agreement must include the following:
(1)Technical documentation, material, management procedures provided by the carrier
(2)Training instructions provided by the carrier;
(3)Work scope entrusted by the carrier and authorization instructions;
(4)Maintenance records and reporting methods.

A copy of all these must be kept at the outstation. A line maintenance organisation has full responsibility for compliance to 145 requirements and never performs work at locations out of maintenance certificate approval.

Organisations must have the tools & equipment necessary to perform work at locations listed in maintenance certificates, and special equipment belonging to the carrier by means of agreements.

The benefits of 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.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Aircraft Maintenance

Aircraft Maintenance

Flying in the sky like a free bird has always been a dream and motivated the Wright Brothers to create this marvelous machine called Aircraft. But to ensure optimum performance, reliability and safety from it, you need to maintain the Aircraft as well.

Aircraft Maintenance has two main critical functional models- preventive maintenance and requirement-based maintenance. In Preventive Maintenance, some extra steps are usually taken to protect the aircraft from snags that could possibly occur in future, like wing inspection after every flight to foresee and rectify problems that could possibly create problems while landing or in the air.

Requirement Based Maintenance involves rectifying the problem as and when it occurs, i.e., it is requirement specific. It usually involves critical activities, so instructions are usually prepared proactively for every foreseen problem to ensure minimum time wastage during its occurrence.

Aircraft Testing is the most critical operational activity that maintenance technicians perform. Every part, like wings, fuselage, tail plane, pumps, valves and communication equipment, is inspected and immediately replaced if found problematic.

Testing procedures are usually repetitive, complex and meticulously designed. These procedures are divided into certain levels depending upon the kind of maintenance the aircraft needs. Under normal conditions, an aircraft is inspected after every flight (Level 1) and subsequently the level increases with increases in flying hours. The experts suggest getting the Aircraft checked every six months at a Maintenance Yard for thorough inspection.

Taking passenger safety into account, Aircraft Maintenance has never been considered as an ordinary maintenance activity. International Aircraft Maintenance agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (USA), EASA (Europe), and AIATA (Australia) have laid stringent rules and guidelines for Aircraft Maintenance to ensure maximum safety for passengers.