There is no doubt that aircraft need a millimeter preventive and corrective maintenance process for flight safety. Each component should be inspected not only regularly, but also thoroughly for signs of wear or breakdown.
That is why Ecocopter began the inspection process that is carried out every 12 years on Airbus helicopters around the world, in this case, it is being developed in the company’s AS350B3. The maintenance called the “Great Visit” is the major inspection, where a total disarmament of the aircraft is carried out.
It is a complex task that encompasses work on structures, interiors, systems and avionics. The elements that make up the aircraft are assembled and disassembled, the components that meet their useful life and overhaul are replaced, following a revision procedure that follows national and international regulations, taking the number of flight hours as a fundamental variable.
The “Great Visit” has a minimum duration of two months and its length depends on the use of the aircraft. In this case, the Ecocopter AS350B3 has more than 5,000 flight hours, since it is used in a number of missions in various productive areas such as mining, energy, telecommunications, forestry and heliskiing, among others.
The maintenance staff in charge of this inspection is made up of eight qualified technicians belonging to the Ecocopter Aeronautical Maintenance Center (CMA). “All these works are carried out in our maintenance base with highly qualified personnel, and with the authorization of the DGAC for this type of procedure. In addition, our team is complemented by external specialists who work on the electrical, avionics and structural systems of the aircraft, either for inspection, modification or correction of findings that could be found in the review,” said Alex Opazo, supervisor of Ecocopter maintenance.
In turn, the complete disassembly of the helicopter becomes the instance for the installation of optional equipment if required, such as, for example, the FDM flight tracking and monitoring system. First class equipment that has already been incorporated into 100% of Ecocopter’s Latam fleet.
Thus, the “Great Visit” seeks the ideal conditions to continue providing the best service with the highest standards of efficiency and safety.
This press release was prepared and distributed by Ecocopter.
