Rigorous Procedure of Aircraft Maintenance
Aircraft maintenance is a complex process influenced by various factors, including the aircraft's age, flight hours, take-offs and landings, relevant aviation regulations, and the airline's internal policies. At Brookfield Aviation, we understand the intricacies of maintaining these finely tuned machines, which are designed with multiple backup systems to ensure safety and reliability. For instance, the Airbus A380 has over a million parts, requiring a large workforce of engineers for upkeep—Qantas, for example, employs over 3,300 people to maintain its fleet.
Line Maintenance
Aircraft typically receive around 12 hours of line maintenance weekly, covering pre-flight checks, daily fluid checks, troubleshooting, and more. This is supplemented by scheduled maintenance, which is divided into four types of "checks": A Checks, B Checks, C Checks, and D Checks.
A Checks are performed every 500 to 800 flight hours or up to 400 cycles, roughly every eight to ten weeks. Tasks include replacing filters, lubricating key systems, and inspecting all emergency equipment. An A Check can take up to 100 hours, though a typical A Check on a Boeing 737 for Qantas takes six to 24 hours.
B Checks occur every four to six months, taking about one day and 150 hours to complete. For modern aircraft, B Checks are often absorbed into other checks.
Heavy Maintenance
Heavy maintenance includes C Checks and D Checks and is conducted every 18 months to six years, depending on the aircraft's age and type.
C Checks are comprehensive, involving a full aircraft inspection every 18 months to two years, taking around 6,000 hours and lasting approximately three weeks.
D Checks, also known as C4 or C8 Checks, occur every five to six years, though advanced aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner only require them every 12 years. D Checks involve disassembling the entire aircraft, including removing all cabin components, engines, and landing gear, allowing engineers to thoroughly inspect and repair or replace systems. This extensive process can cost around $7 million and take up to 100,000 hours, essentially resulting in a nearly brand-new aircraft by the end.
At Brookfield Aviation International, we understand how crucial periodic maintenance is to keeping aircraft in good working order and preventing malfunctions. Airlines must ensure that they have qualified engineers on staff to carefully consider and manage this sensitive matter. Therefore, it is equally crucial that aviation personnel be sufficiently skilled to perform this task precisely. demonstrating our dedication to the excellence of the aviation sector.
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