Aircraft Engine Overhaul Requirements And Procedures
Owning an aircraft requires routine inspections, cleaning of internal and external parts, and occasional engine overhauls. The engine is the most vital part of an aircraft and contains many components that must work simultaneously. Learn how to determine if your aircraft is in need of an engine overhaul and what processes will be performed at a shop.
Different Requirements For An Overhaul
A commercial operator who oversees scheduled flights will have a timetable to refer to that pertains to engine upkeep. A part 135 operator is a commercial pilot who oversees non-scheduled flights. A private jet owner who offers charters and an aircraft owner who provides an air taxi service both assume the role of a part 135 operator.
A part 135 operator will also be required to have an overhaul performed at specific intervals, which may be reflective of the total amount of flight time that an engine was used for and the manufacturing date of engine materials.
A private aircraft owner who does not offer flights to the public will not need to abide by the engine upkeep requirements and will need to use their own judgment to determine when an aircraft's engine needs to be serviced.
Inspection Processes And Shop Services
Inspecting mechanical components and taking notice of the amount of time that it takes for an aircraft engine to start up and its performance level may indicate when an overhaul is necessary. There may be obvious signs of a malfunction, such as a crack in the crankcase or oil leaking from an aircraft's tailpipes. These issues should be addressed immediately and an aircraft should not be flown until the engine has been inspected and overhauled.
Minor wear and tear is normal and a plane that has been started up regularly and flown on a fairly standard schedule may not be in need of an overhaul at this time. After excessively flying a plane and determining that mechanical parts aren't operating properly, an owner of an aircraft can send the engine to a shop that specializes in updating mechanical components.
An engine will be completely disassembled and parts will be inspected and cleaned. Special lighting is used to inspect the crankcase and other large engine parts. The lighting will determine if cracks are running along the surface of materials. If parts are worn out or damaged, they will be replaced. After an engine is reassembled, it will be shipped back to its owner.
Contact a company like Skyboss Aviation to learn more.
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