Owning and operating a small aircraft is an increasingly expensive endeavor. Some major costs involved in running a plane include loan payments, insurance, storage fees, fuel, engine, and other parts repairs. This calls for rigorous adherence to the preservation requirements for all airplanes so that you can keep your aircraft in top condition all the time. In order to fully comply with the airplane ownership and civil aviation regulations, you will need to perform regular and accurate maintenance of your aircraft.
Airplane maintenance doesn’t only include annual inspections, repairs, or replacements of worn-out components but also consists of processes like refueling and cleaning. It’s inevitable for aircraft to undergo overhauling, known as Time Between Overhaul TBO, which typically occurs around 1200 to 2000 running hours for general aviation planes. It’s vital to be prepared financially for planned and unplanned aircraft maintenance such as avionics, engine, propeller, and airframe overhauls.
Performing your aircraft’s routine maintenance can allow you to save a considerable amount of money on your annual aircraft maintenance costs. Now, we will discuss why maintaining your aircraft is increasingly economical in the long run.
Increased Pilot And Passenger Safety
You cannot apply the old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” to your aircraft maintenance regimes. Apart from that, you should completely avoid using Band-Aid solutions to reduce operations-related complexities and accidents. Following a strict aircraft maintenance plan will result in safe flying operations, getting you and your passengers to your destination in one piece.
For instance, let’s assume you’re flying your plane, and all of a sudden, something goes wrong with your aircraft mid-air due to your maintenance team’s negligence to replace a particular part they thought could still be good to go for a flight or two. After reaching your destination, that could result in even more expensive repairs for you, and even worse, passengers’ complaints if you were flying with them.
Preventing Delayed Or Lost Flights
Your aircraft’s engine malfunction can result in delayed or lost prearranged flights, which in turn, may lead to more disappointed passengers. That’s why it’s essential to undergo your plane through frequent maintenance before flying to prevent such costly circumstances from happening. Sometimes, during routine checks, you may need to replace some batteries or additional parts, if necessary, helping you to get on your way on time. Performing this regular action before each flight will help you get to your destination quicker and without burning extra fuel during the flight.
Extending Your Aircraft’s Useful Lifespan
Ensuring regular maintenance of your airplane will help you extend its useful lifespan over the years. Replacing deteriorated or damaged components would mean improved aircraft performance in the long run. That’s why it’s necessary to keep tabs on your plane’s cylinder walls, camshafts, exhaust systems, and valve stems to come to know when they need replacement.
Maintaining your aircraft may seem like an expensive task to achieve, but ensuring your plane’s safety and optimal performance is a significant investment that cannot be underestimated or overlooked.
Acorn Welding is an aviation expert based in Canada. We specialize in completing various aircraft maintenance assignments, including welding procedures, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant checkups, and different aircraft components. Visit our website to learn more about our manufacturing capabilities. You can also contact us for customized care.
