How Often Are Aircraft Serviced ?

Whether an aircraft is very old or a brand-new model, regular servicing is paramount for all vessels to ensure that they are airworthy and safe for flight. The service lives of aircraft components can be cut short by a variety of factors, ranging from improper installation to overheating which results in damage. Regardless of the causation, damaged components can detract from aircraft performance or make operations hazardous as other assemblies become affected. To avoid the costly maintenance procedures needed during an AOG situation, it is beneficial to implement regular inspection intervals to minimize the chance of an unforeseen issue.

As servicing will always be required more frequently the more an aircraft is flown, many manufacturers will specify their maintenance recommendations in the form of flight hours rather than time frames. Nevertheless, there are common intervals including specific maintenance checks which may be required for certain aircraft to legally operate. Generally, these intervals range from daily to annual inspections, and each type will consist of different procedures.

Light aircraft in particular should always be visually inspected before each flight. During the procedure, the pilot or co-pilot will check fuel levels, the engine oil level, cable connections, internal parts, and more. As the inspection is carried out, the inspector is searching for any possible damages which may warrant maintenance. It is always very important to remember to check the ground where the aircraft is placed or parked to ensure that there are no leaking fluids.

For passenger planes, airliners, and military aircraft, inspections are more thorough and frequent due to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. The FAA requires four checks to be carried out in regard to inspections, and each contains different steps for conducting such procedures. Coming in the form of the A, B, C, and D checks which are held at different intervals, each becomes increasingly more comprehensive.

The A check is typically conducted after 125 flight hours, though the exact timing may vary depending upon the type of aircraft. During this check, a visual examination is carried out with focus being on the airframe, powerplant, avionics, and accessories. The A check requires around 20 to 60 man-hours to complete, and many airliners will have such processes carried out overnight.

B checks are held every 750 flight hours which tends to fall around the sixth month mark. The B check is slightly more comprehensive, requiring the inspector to carry out all the A check inspection steps in addition to conducting fluid servicing, lubrication, and an open inspection of panels and cowlings. For such checks, around 200 man-hours are required.

The C check is conducted every 3000 flight hours, and it includes the A and B check steps alongside a thorough inspection of the engine and airframe as well as carrying out heavy lubrication and a portion of the corrosion prevention program. With further checks to the engine and its accessories, the inspector can ensure that parts such as the air compressor, combustor assembly, oil cooler, and turbofan air conditioner are all functioning as intended. Furthermore, the inspector will also ensure that all flight controls are calibrated correctly, all major internal mechanisms have undergone testing, and that Service Bulletin requirements have been met. Generally, the C check takes upwards of 3,000 man-hours to complete.

The D check is the most comprehensive of the four, and it is conducted every 20,000 flight-hours. In this check, the cabin interiors are removed so that inspectors can carry out more detailed checks of the structure. The aircraft is then stripped to its shell so that a very thorough inspection may be done before the interior is rebuilt. Due to the large amount of work required for such procedures, the D check can take upwards of 10,000 man-hours to complete alongside 21 days of ground time.

While each check listed above is required by the FAA for certain aircraft, pilots should still do daily and weekly checks to ensure that their aircraft is safe for flight. If you find yourself needing a replacement part for maintenance, let the experts at ASAP Supply Chain help you secure everything you need with competitive pricing and rapid lead-times. ASAP Supply Chain is a premier online distributor of aircraft parts, and we are your sourcing solution for items that are new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find. With team members readily available 24/7x365, customers can request personalized quotes with ease by taking advantage of our Instant RFQ service. Send us a completed request form today and see how ASAP Supply Chain can serve as your strategic sourcing partner for all your needs.