Force. As a result, commercial air-
craft spend much less time undergo-
ing maintenance.
The 402nd Maintenance Wing
began achieving comparable results
on this first airplane. They were not
trying to achieve a high burn rate
initially, however. Its first goal was
to establish the basic HVM processes
and then build upon them to eventu-
ally get the desired labor burn rate.
According to Keene, the current
labor burn rate is around 200 to 220
hours of touch labor per day. The tar-
get is around 500 hours a day.
“Obviously, it will take us a while,”
he stresses. “We will step it up to
maybe 250, and then 300, 400 and
500 hours over several years.”
Mechanic-Centric Focus
This gets us to that dream state
where we achieve a mechanic-centric
A 402nd Maintenance Wing maintenance professional works on the Dyess AFB C-130’s aft ramp after it was removed
during the HVM process.
focus, like that of an operating-room
surgeon. Mechanic efficiency is the 25 volunteers. The HVM team has C-Check because the engineers, even
centerpiece of HVM. Maximum use another 50 specialists that can be though they will concentrate on a
of kitting and standard visual work summoned on an as-needed basis. particular portion of the airplane, will
are choreographed with disciplined That translated to about 200 to 250 want to see certain items every time
processes, integrated planning and hours of touch labor, or burn rate, because of previous issues (corrosion,
decision-making, and robust data col- over two shifts per day. for example).
lection. Now the maintenance profes- The HVM Team divided the lengthy “That’s the other part we are
sional can do his or her work without Program Depot Maintenance (PDM) really excited about with High
undue interruption. cycle, which occurs every five or six Velocity Maintenance,” says Keene.
When asked how the maintenance years, into four smaller cycles and “We’re going to see that airplane
crews feel about this scrutiny toward then integrated the isochronal calen- every 18 months.”
efficiency, Keene was enthusiastic. dar inspections into the HVM cycles. “We truly believe these airplanes
“Oh, they love it and here’s why – The four cycles are divided into: fuse- are not going to get into as bad shape
we’re not really talking about the lage, wing, empennage, and paint and as they were when they only came in
maintenance technician being more flight controls. every five or six years,” he adds. “We’ll
efficient. The efficiency comes from The HVM process being evalu- be able to catch corrosion when it is
not going and hunting for parts, not ated on the C-130P does not cur- the size of a pinhead rather than after
going and looking for tools, not going rently include major engine work. it has eaten up a structural member.”
and standing to check out equipment “We will do engine changes, and we The primary lessons the HPT
they need.” do the Iso inspections,” says Mobley. learned from the airlines is:
“We’re talking about treating these folks “Incorporating heavy engine checks
like a surgeon,” he adds, “where they’re sit- is something that that we will need to • The airlines see their air-
ting there and people are handing things look at as we get down the line.” planes more often because their
to them. The mechanics love it!” Regarding avionics, Robins does C-Checks run every couple years and
“The biggest change is in terms of have the Avionics Repair Center. their D-Checks run about every four
our overhead support,” Keene con- However, when an airplane comes in years.
tinues. “I never want to make that for a cycle, they typically just remove • The airlines have extremely
mechanic have to leave the airplane. and replace the components. detailed work plans, which the HVM
We want you to do the repair just at Team emulated. Previously, the Air
the normal speed you would do it.” Airline Best Practices Force work cards were general and
The core team of mechanics on Keene notes that Robins will prob- did not describe all the needed parts,
the validation C-130P includes about ably move more toward a commercial materials and consumables.
Aviation Maintenance |
avmain-mag.com | Oct/Nov 2009 35
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