Gloucestercitynews.net(December 13, 2019)–Aircraft safety is of vital importance, and establishing a maintenance checklist is a critical pre-flight aspect of this. Whether you’re a fleet manager whose aircrafts\’ maintenance schedule is based on the inspection standards set in
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations
or the owner of a high-usage aircraft, we’ve spotlighted a few points of aircraft maintenance that deserve extra attention to guarantee a safe and comfortable flight.
Grommets
Grommets are often used to protect
wires, tubing and control cables from continuous grating against any sharp edges within the plane. They are vital for preventing against potential smoke and fire hazards within an aircraft’s many electrical connections. Ill-fitting grommets have been the culprits behind cabin fires, lavatory leaks and more threats to crew and passenger well-being, which is why inspection is so essential for in-flight reliability and safety. When properly installed, grommets help ensure an aircraft’s electrical wiring interconnect system (EWIS) is properly bundles to meet airworthiness standards and avoid long-term maintenance issues.
Grommets can also be used as a reinforcement tool around a hole in fabric; usually this means being added onto a plane\’s flaps for extra secureness. Flaps or lift devices, are usually mounted on the wing trailing edges of a fixed-wing aircraft. Flaps are used when additional lift is needed on takeoff.
If during a maintenance inspection any instances of wire chafing, arcing, degradation or other wiring safety concerns appear, any EWIS modifications should be compatible with safety requirements and the existing set standards.
Seals and O-Rings
There’s no arguing when it comes to aircraft maintenance and safety that seals play a vital role in almost every part of your plane.
The forces of attrition are basically the whole story for why your seals and o-rings need regular check-ups.
Attrition is the basic wear and tear on an aircraft during the time it\’s in service for. The five main factors that contribute most heavily to this depreciation include weather, friction, heat, overload and vibration.
Weather and its effects on aircraft can vary widely depending on the local climate (rainy, humid, snowfall, etc.) and each of these conditions will create a different outcome for each aircraft and its parts. Things such as decay, oxidation, moisture, rusting and corrosion are all possibilities and will require cleaning, examination and possible replacement for the continuation of aircraft operation.
Friction is another element of concern for aircraft safety. Friction can’t necessarily be completely avoided since like any machine, an aircraft has hundreds of moving parts that will come into contact with one another from time to time. However, this is where the need for effective sealing and lubrication plays an essential role in reducing the wear on each part. By using lubricated o-rings, higher pressure, temperatures and movement can be attained without compromising metal to metal parts such as in the engine.
We won’t go into detail on the rest of the forces of attrition as you can find out more
in-depth information in this government guide
, but as part of the inspection you should ultimately be aware of the possible effects each of those listed could have on the aircraft.
The Smallest Seal Matters
It’s important to keep in mind, whether you’re preparing for your annual inspection or progressive, that every piece of your aircraft down to the smallest fuel seal and grommet gasket plays a vital part in giving you the best flight performance and longest lifespan from your aircraft.
