Excellent example of a clean and organized modern day shop.


lighting, or have a useful crane avail- able to comply with the assigned maintenance tasks. Excuse me… but doesn’t that


mean spending more money? Yes, equipment and training cost money. However, by selectively spending additional dollars, you can actually reduce your overall costs. For exam- ple, what price would you put on a factory school or a second set of man- uals if it permitted your aircraft to consistently complete maintenance one or two days earlier, or if it gener- ated 20 additional aircraft revenue days per year? Case in point, why does a Bell 206L-3 engine change take 12 hours at a major 135 operator, but three to five days at other shops? Aside from several minor factors, most major operators ensure all mechanics have the necessary train- ing, tools, equipment, and documen- tation. Why? Simple. Flying aircraft


42 June 2012


earn revenue and AOG aircraft don’t. Granted, every operation is dif-


ferent. But, if the actual maintenance process were monitored and reviewed on a regular basis, you could make some wise investments and stream- line this important aspect of your


operation. POST MAINTENANCE. This final cate-


A simple report by a refueler or helper of an intermittent fuel leak can save you the hassle of filling out EPA spill paperwork, or worse driving up to the hospital to see and smell the JP-5 flowing off the rooftop helipad after the sump valve failed completely.


gory is where the results of your pre- vious proactive efforts and invest- ments are brought together and reviewed for efficiency and improve- ment. In other words, are you getting your bang for your buck? The oppor- tune time for this review is right after the completion of major maintenance or an inspection cycle. Based on the problems and discrepancies noted during the maintenance process, you can implement changes to existing procedures, or create new methods to mitigate and prevent conditions affecting the success of your mainte-


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