Hangar Work

We have been here two months now, so thought it was time to write a little about what I (Mark) have been doing in the hangar.

Pretty much from day one, they have got me working hard. There always seems to be an aircraft coming in for an inspection or repair which has kept me on my toes. Then there is learning all the new ways MAF do paperwork, research and computer programes compared to MMS Aviation.

One nice programe they have here is called WASP which stands for Web-based AMO Support Package. In short, it contains all the parts we have in stock, allows us to put in requests for new parts, has the work orders for aircraft coming in, and has all tasks and snags recorded on that aircraft that needs to be completed.

Here at MAF-TZ (Mission Aviation Fellowship - Tanzania) we have four aircraft (2 Cessna 206's and 2 Cessna 208's) that belong to us and that we maintain. We also have a Cessna 206 on loan from SIL (Summer Institute of Linguistics) in Kenya. Then we have another 9 aircraft that we maintain for different paying customers. At the height of the tourist season, we sometimes see the same aircraft in every two weeks for its 50hr inspection.

Customers aircraft being weighed.

So far I have worked on 8 of these aircraft doing things from simple snags that the pilot has highlighted, to having to do a 'Hot Section Inspection' of a Turbine engine because I found a crack whilst doing a borescope inspection.

The small crack that I found.

The engine split in two.

The 'Hot' Section

At this moment in the hangar, there is a Cessna 208 finally being re-assembled after getting a replacement combustion liner, radar and gyro. A Cessna 206 has been dis-assembled, stripped and repaired and is now in the process of being painted. Another Cessna 206 is due in for its 50hr. Lastly, we have yet another Cessna 206 that sustained some damage to its stabilizer and elevator, so we're waiting on the powers on high to make a decision as to what direction we will go forward ... repair ourselves (some twist damage, so difficult to repair correctly without a jig) or purchase a new set from the States (costly).

Anyway, that will do for now. Judging by the amount of work that I have been doing, I won't be bored or stuck doing the same job day in and day out, and my training/experience from MMS Aviation has definitely come in handy many times already.

So it is time to say it again ... if you would love to work on aircraft, helping missions and people in remote areas, but are not already an aircraft engineer ... get in touch with MAF UK and ask about the partnership with MMS Aviation. If I can become a licensed Airframe & Powerplant Engineer in three years, then I'm sure you can too!