MAINTENANCE MINUTE Be Intentional
By Mark Tyler As helicopter owners, pilots, and
mechanics we must consistently be advocates for safety and always meet or exceed the standards. Personal safety and prevention of equipment damage are of utmost importance. The number-one concern in the aviation business today is the rising cost of insurance. The rapid rise in these insurance costs is directly due to injuries and damaged equipment.
So, how do we mitigate the risk and decrease premiums? Here are some simple and basic measures that will aid your flight and maintenance operations in keeping safety as the top priority.
As owners and operators, it is critical that we track aircraft total time and cycles to ensure we do not over-fly inspections, ADs, ASBs or time-life components. An up-to-date status sheet will also prove airworthiness if ramp checked. I understand tracking software programs can be expensive, but tracking is necessary even if it’s just a
spreadsheet. When it comes to time and cycle maintenance on helicopters, it’s “pay me now or pay me later” — and later will always cost more.
As pilots, it is critical to always perform a preflight inspection. The preflight is the time to satisfy our own standards and have confidence as we take to the air that all is well. I have heard some say, “It’s right out of maintenance; why should I look at it?” But believe me, the most critical time to examine a machine is before it comes to life and departs the ground, even if it just left maintenance. Another set of eyes is a great safety precaution.
As mechanics, it is imperative that we do our job correctly. Focus, initiate, review — and then do it again. Apply the secondary maintenance check. No matter how much experience you have, always have someone review your work. Even if that person is not a mechanic they might see tools, rags, loose connections or
something obviously out of place. Have the mindset that a mistake is a luxury you cannot afford.
No owner, pilot or mechanic starts the day thinking they will make mistakes. Usually it’s not big mistakes, but the small things that cost us. Checking fluid levels and tightening panel screws or reverse installs of safety wire seem like little things, but are certainly not unimportant. These and other little things will lead to much bigger things if not caught and corrected.
Staying safe is an intentional act. Yes, accidents happen, but we can reduce risk by being intentional. There are hundreds of things that try to rob our attention and distract us throughout the day. Intentional thought will lead to intentional focus. By adding secondary maintenance checks, preflight and postflight inspections, and an up-to-date status sheet, we will increase the odds in our favor to fly another day.
About the author: Mark Tyler dedicated the majority of his career to serving the helicopter EMS community, from base mechanic to director of maintenance. As vice president and general manager of Precision Aircraft Services, Tyler now serves helicopter operators from many sectors including air ambulance, law enforcement, private owners, etc. When not at work, he can be found spending time with his family or sitting in a tree stand.
20
May/June 2022
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
