Preventative Maintenance Tips for Every Flight Department

It is crucial for aircraft owners and operators to consider the best preventative maintenance practices for their jets. Though this can seem like yet another item in an already extensive ‘to do’ list for the day-to-day running of a business aircraft, it is essential and will help avoid unnecessary cost and downtime relating to entirely avoidable maintenance issues that could otherwise arise.

Andy Bajc, Director of Maintenance, Flight Ops at Duncan Aviation shares a few of his best practices for preventative maintenance.

“In Duncan Aviation's flight operations, we have a list of things that we do on a regular basis that could be considered ‘preventative maintenance’,” he highlights. “Most of the items are service-related, but by doing them we prevent AOG situations.”

Weather conditions and the climate in the location the aircraft is predominantly based are a big factor in understanding what preventative maintenance is specifically required for the aircraft.

“We are based in the Midwest, and all of our aircraft are hangared whenever they are at home base,” Bajc illustrates. “In the winter months, we keep all of our hangars heated to prevent any cold-related issues that could come up.”

Having ensured the aircraft is adequately protected for the environment it is based in, regular attention needs to be given to the aircraft itself.

“On our turbine powered aircraft, for example, our maintenance technicians regularly check and service a number of items, such as engine and APU oils, hydraulic fluids, and pneumatic pressures,” Bajc explains.

“Probably the most important preventive maintenance item that we do on all of our aircraft is tire pressure monitoring and servicing to specification.” This one item will save time and money by minimizing tire wear and providing a safe aircraft, he explains.

Practical Suggestions for Preventative Maintenance Strategies

Cary Loubert is a Technical Rep based at Duncan Aviation's Battle Creek, Michigan, location and suggests some of the following preventative practices that are easily accomplished by any diligent aircraft owner or operator.

“Regular cleaning of both the inside and out are essential to keeping the aircraft in optimal condition,” he notes. Loubert emphasizes the need to pay special attention to areas where dirt can accumulate and attract water, such as wheel wells, flap wells, and wing to fuselage transition fairings.

In addition, application of corrosion prevention treatments in the areas which tend to develop corrosion typically found during heavy maintenance checks is highly advisable. “Ask a senior technician at the service center where these areas are located, if needed,” Loubert suggests.

Next, he adds, flight operations should shorten the lubrication intervals when frequent washing or extended trips have reduced the protection provided by the lubricant.

“Use post flight inspections to find problems when they are small and still minor,” he advises, adding that flight departments should budget to replace paint regularly, taking special care to repair and touch-up any breaks in the aircraft's paint armor.

“I feel this comes down to how flight operations use the aircraft and how they treat the aircraft when it is home,” Loubert summarizes. “An ounce of prevention goes a long way.”

Preventative Maintenance for Multiple Jet Flight Operations

Mike Saathoff is Director of Sales Operations at Elliott Aviation. He notes that the preventative maintenance proposition can look entirely different for flight operations with multiple jets as opposed to a single aircraft flight department.

“It is important to not let items pile up [in a multi-jet operation],” he warns. “As you find things, repair them or get them repaired. It is similar to owning a house. When things are found to be needing repair, take care of those items.”

“With a fleet of 14 aircraft as diverse as we operate,” Bajc adds, “preventive maintenance takes on different roles depending on the type of aircraft. On all our aircraft, we have them cleaned regularly to prevent paint deterioration and corrosion”.

And, according to Saathoff, with multiple aircraft it’s even more important to stay ahead of scheduled maintenance as well. A diligent approach to preventative maintenance should help a flight operation foster a diligent approach to scheduled maintenance generally.

Saathoff advises Flight Departments to keep all their aircraft on a maintenance tracking program in this regard. “Ensure as all maintenance is completed the tracking program is updated accordingly.”

Tracking aircraft usage carefully to get a clear picture of any maintenance coming due, “divide the aircraft’s usage into months or weeks to help you understand when high and low usage occurs”. According to Saathoff, it is necessary to schedule maintenance as far in advance as possible, so tracking high and low usage patterns for the aircraft will assist operators with booking MRO shops at convenient times further in advance.

Of course, the ideal is that when it comes time to induct the aircraft into the MRO shop, you’ll just be paying for the necessary work to be performed on the aircraft, and when it’s time to sell the aircraft it will present as an attractive proposition to would-be buyers.

Essentially, investing the time to go the extra mile and take preventative maintenance steps after each flight is completed will reduce the chance of surprise maintenance costs, and position your aircraft as a well-kept offering on the pre-owned market when you’re ready to sell.

More information from:

Duncan Aviation: www.duncanaviation.aero

Elliott Aviation: www.elliottaviation.com

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