Three 240 month inspections on Bombardier Global at ACC COLUMBIA Jet Service Hanover

Bombardier Global Series business jets are known for their comfort and performance especially regarding long distance flights and are therefore very popular with our customers. ACC COLUMBIA Jet Service currently has two Global Express in the Hanover hangars, on 240 month inspections, with a third Global Express starting at the beginning of November. The 240 month inspection is the most detailed and extensive inspection during an aircraft’s service life.

Currently there has not been many 240 month inspections performed on the Global series within the European region, with the majority performed in the United States, therefore, the team is very proud to support our customers with some of the first 240 month inspections in Europe. Due to the experience gained after performing numerous 120 month inspections, our team is very well prepared for this much broader inspection which is a very similar inspection but with some additional enhanced checks.

Downtime for this maintenance event can range from 8 to 11 weeks, depending on additional findings during the inspection and further work packages ordered by the customer. The initial inspection includes removal of all exterior panels for a structural inspection. The fuel tank is also subjected to a detailed inspection and the landing gear is shipped to the manufacturer for overhaul purposes.

Additionally, the complete cabin interior must be disassembled and removed. With an inspection of this magnitude, various defects and of course corrosion were already found on both projects.

During the downtime, one of the owners took the opportunity for a complete cabin refurbishment, including the upgrade of his obsolete Cabin Entertainment System, with a new generation system, with high-speed internet and a heavy galley modification including a new microwave and oven. The second 240 month inspection is a standard project with a new carpet and a couple of small repairs not causing any effect on the scheduled downtime. Additionally, one engine and the APU had to be removed due to structural findings.

Whilst two technician teams are making great progress in their inspections, another team is already prepared to start the third 240 month inspection. Three inspections of this dimension at the same time are only possible due to the enormous spatial expansion in connection with recruitment of additional skilled staff optimally complementing the existing team since the beginning of this year at our facility in Hanover Airport. We will be extremely happy to release all aircraft back into service in a structurally safe condition after the extensive inspection focusing on a huge number of detailed tasks.