Aircraft are some of the most complex and biggest machines in the world, and they service millions of passengers a year on average. Planes are flown throughout the year, barely getting any breaks, and need to use the little time they have on the ground efficiently to be serviced and made ready to go as soon as possible. Routine maintenance is important for safety and efficiency, especially because the plane is the only thing keeping hundreds of passengers in the air during a flight. Keep reading to discover the complex considerations of routine aircraft maintenance.
Pre-planning and scheduling
Planes cost millions of dollars and need to be functional and in use as much as possible to generate revenue. For this reason, airline companies don’t like to put them out of commission for maintenance until they have to. This is in line with manufacturer recommendations and evaluations of the staff that regularly use the planes. This allows companies to predict when they can expect planes to require maintenance and ensure they have enough reserve planes in the fleet to carry the extra workload. When companies sometimes need to rent GSE maintenance equipment, this is done in line with the maintenance schedule.
Ground inspection
The next step of the maintenance process is to perform a rough, overall inspection so that staff can pinpoint the areas needing repair. This is a visual inspection to check for damage to the body or the plane’s hull or for leaks of fluid found in the plane. There are some harder-to-reach areas in the plane that aren’t visible easily. For these parts, like the underside of the plane, the maintenance crew uses special cameras and equipment to get a clearer image. This initial inspection paves the way for how the technicians approach repair.
Component inspection and replacement
Once the initial ground inspection is done, technicians thoroughly inspect the plane’s different components. This includes landing gear, brakes, wheels, and engine parts. The health of these components is tested, as well as their longevity, so that if they’re still airworthy, the technicians have an idea of when they’ll need to be replaced. If parts are worn out and could pose a risk to the plane and passengers in the future, it is promptly replaced. This is the main step in most routine maintenance procedures, as most planes don’t sustain heavy damage.
Avionics and system testing
The next step in the maintenance process is to check the systems of the plane, especially the avionics or aircraft electronics. Avionics refers to the plane’s communications and pilot guidance systems, which are essential to facilitating a safe and smooth flight. The communications are synced to air traffic towers at both airports, and without it, planes wouldn’t be able to navigate safely. The pilot guidance system allows the pilot to control the plane more efficiently, creating a smoother experience. Technicians also check the fluid levels of other systems in the plane, like the hydraulics, and replace or top it off depending on what it needs.
Interior cleaning and final sign-off
By this stage, the main maintenance has already been done. The only things left to do are to clean up the interior of the plane, get rid of all of the garbage left by the passengers, as well as cleaning up food and spilled drinks, and prepare for the final sign-off. During this time, special carts fill up the water supply of the plane, too, and empty out the waste compartments. The water allows passengers to use the lavatory in the plane, and to get some drinks along with their meal.
Conclusion
Aircraft maintenance is an integral part of the aviation industry. Companies in the industry have had to develop it and create new technology for it since ground support and maintenance are what allow planes to be flown routinely. Without it, most planes would no longer be airworthy after just a few flights, losing millions of dollars. Routine maintenance allows planes to safely travel long distances and allows the passengers to enjoy a smoother, problem-free experience. It’s an absolute necessity for all planes and airline companies who have been able to use new technological innovations to speed up the process.
