Do Airplane Mechanics Play the Most Important Role in the Safety of the Aviation Industry - Essay Example

Aircraft mechanics Aircraft mechanics plays a crucial role, the safety of passengers and goods directly depends onthe work of technicians, who implement checks and eliminate defects. Maintenance of aircrafts consists of regular checks of planes’ technical condition, which have to be made by airlines (the servicing companies) in a certain period of time stated in Maintenance Program of Airlines. Technical inspection of aircrafts is widely carried out by mechanics of military and civil aviation worldwide and in certain countries. The work is accompanied by a great number of difficulties, so, unfortunately, very few people choose this profession, while the need in aircraft mechanics is great. The maintenance schedule prescribes the change of people, thus there should be sufficient number of well-qualified professionals. “Major aircraft manufacturers are predicting a need for thousands of aircraft maintenance technicians each year over the next several years as more and more airplanes are produced” (Aircraft Mechanics - An Important Role). Mechanics work at airports, bases, at private airfields, military units and at the decks of aircraft carriers. Mechanics are used by passenger and cargo air carriers, firms specializing in aircrafts servicing, operators of private airfields, agricultural aircrafts companies, state-owned airlines and the owners of personal air fleet. Small airports can provide employment to several mechanics, while large ones and military bases employ thousands of them. The checks implemented by such professionals are divided into Transit Check, Daily Check, Weekly Check, A-check, B-check, C-check and D-check). A-check and B-check are easy checks, while C and D-check are difficult forms of maintenance (Kryshkevych). Transit Check is the simplest visual check of the external state and the main units of a plane. It is carried out before each departure of an aircraft. A technician attentively examines a plane for defects or damages of its covering. Engines and the most important systems are checked. Daily Check is daily technical inspection of a plane that is carried out each 24-36 hours. It is usually implemented at night. A plane is carefully checked for visible damages. Its general state, the main units, level of necessary liquids in the systems and the emergency equipment is thoroughly inspected. Weekly Check is carried out during 3-5 hours each 7-10 days. It includes — the check of oils and other liquids; everything is replenished or changed if necessary; — the check of the general conditions of a covering, internal systems, chassis, APU and generator; — all external and internal fires and avionics are checked. For some types of airplanes the structure of works are defined by the regulation that is developed by manufacturing plant together with the representatives of the aviation authorities and the representatives of operators (together they form the working groups). For more modern types of airplanes, there are no uniform regulations and the operator is obliged to develop the program for a concrete airplane on the basis of the guidelines (MRBR), the recommendations of a plant (MPD), and directives of authorities. In this case the operator is responsible for maintenance plan depending on maintenance policy. For example, if a plane works at the day time, and stands idle at night, it is appropriate to implement the maintenance works at night. If to redistribute works between night forms, it is possible to eliminate A-checks. As many plants refused from alphabetic numbering of forms, operators can give the forms the names they want, for example LMV - line maintenance visit, but as a rule they use the standard ones. “Depending on their area of specialization, mechanics perform inspections, maintenance, structural repairs, and alterations on a variety of different aviation articles. The primary specialties are airframe, powerplant (engines), and avionics” (Aircraft Mechanics - An Important Role). The work of mechanics is crucial and they have no right to make mistakes, every mistake can cost lives. After a plane is checked by mechanics, it is not flight-tested, but people are taken on the board straight after that. (In the Safety Boots of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer). Thus, maintenance should be done perfectly and mechanics are the first who are responsible for accident if it happens. The work of mechanics is very risky. Maintenance is usually carried out in the conditions of sharp deficiency of time at the airports with large volume of air transportation. Mechanics should be men of a very good physical preparation and abilities: “Physical demands are important element in this profession, as a Mechanic will frequently need to pull or lift heavy objects that can weigh up to or over 70 pounds. Often times, the Mechanic will need to stand, lie, or kneel in uncomfortable positions, crawl under wings, fit into tight spaces, or work in potentially risky positions such as on ladders or scaffolds. When engines undergo testing, planes take off and land, and power tools are being used, vibration and noise can be very loud and uncomfortable, so ear protection is often necessary” (Aviation Mechanic Schools and Training Programs). In the working process mechanics are exposed to noise, bad weather conditions. Moreover, they work among heavy traffic. Each of these risk factors can increase the danger the work on maintenance is accompanied with. Risk factors of influence of climatic conditions can include extreme cold and heat, strong wind, rain, snow and ice. In some regions the lightning stroke is a considerable risk factor too. Though the present generation of aviation engines makes much less noise, than the previous models, they can make noise, the level of which exceeds the one set by normative documents, especially when using the power of engine to enter launch site. Old jet engines can make noise with the level exceeding 115 decibels. The Auxiliary Power Plants (APP), land power plants, air condensation equipment, tows, trucks with fuel and handing machinery increase the level of background noise. Noise levels on a runway and in the places of aircrafts parking seldom fall to 80 decibels, thus, making necessary careful selection and use of hearing protection devices. Protection devices have to provide excellent blocking of noise and at the same time they should be convenient and allow to share important information. Double systems (earphones plus ear caps) provide the best protection and give the chance to adjust for various noise levels. The mobile equipment besides aircrafts can include carts for baggage, office buses, food transportation transport, ground equipment and road cars. In order for departures are made according to the schedule and for the satisfaction of passengers, this equipment has to move quickly enough on a runway, which is often oversaturated by transport, even in the conditions of bad lighting. Aircraft engines are dangerous for personnel on a runway, because they can be pulled in jet engines, receive blow of propeller and exhaust stream. Limited visibility at night and unfavorable weather conditions increase the risk of traumas, which can be received from mobile equipment The reflecting material of working clothes helps improve visibility, but it is very important that the personnel working at a runway was trained in the traffic regulation on a runway. Implementation of these rules needs to be carried out strictly. The profession of an aircraft mechanic is one of the most accountable and risky. Due to such careful approach, the aircraft equipment has very big resource of durability. It is unreasonable to compare a plane and, for example, a car. It is possible to travel safely by passenger planes up to 30 years. The term of service depends on intensity of operation and the type of an aircraft. Even after that time planes are often used for the transportation of goods. Works Cited .Kryshkevych, K. A flexible approach to effective and efficient manpower planning for Ukraine International Airlines at main station Boryspil International Airport. Transportation Engineering 41/1, 2013 In the Safety Boots of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. http://blog.airgeorgian.ca Web 2015-02-10 Aviation Mechanic Schools and Training Programs. citytowninfo.com Web 2015-02-10 Aircraft Mechanics - An Important Role. aviation-safety-bureau.com Web 2015-02-10 Read More