Zimbabwean hospitality in the skies starting from the ground

All aircraft are different and require maintenance checks at different times. A rigorous maintenance program ensures that passengers arrive at their destinations safely on an aircraft that is airworthy.

The maintenance philosophy at Air Zimbabwe is to have Safety as a Primary element. This is championed through understanding of Safety, Quality, Technology and Security (Safety Before Schedule).

Air Zimbabwe’s extensive technical facilities coupled with a highly experienced and skilled workforce enables the airline to perform a wide range of aircraft maintenance engineering activities.

The Aircraft Maintenance Division has capabilities in Line and Base aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul of engines, engine components as well as repair and overhaul of aircraft mechanical and avionics components. It also has capability to disassemble, inspect, assembly and test cell run B737-200 engines to check for mechanical reliability and overall performance.

The Division is well equipped and committed to the highest quality of workmanship in line with international standards.

Zimbabwean hospitality in the skies begins on the ground, where the airline’s technicians carry out maintenance checks on the carrier’s fleet comprising B767, B737 and ERJ145. Check A, B, C and D are carried out at different flight hours or calendar times. A wide variety of workshops compliment the provision of safe and airworthy aircraft and components.

Air Zimbabwe has a fully-fledged maintenance department that is comprised of the following key areas. The Engineering Maintenance Control has a variety of functions. These include the planning of aircraft inspections and maintenance work, routing of aircraft and the stewardship of technical records for the entire fleet.

The Technical Resource Centre section maintains the airworthiness of the aircraft through timeous analysis of incoming Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins and acquisition of up to date aircraft manuals. Tracking of basic empty weight, centre of gravity and moment changes of the aircraft is another major responsibility of the Section.

Aircraft Structural Repair designs and local modification designs are some special functions of the section. Aircraft drawings, flight data download and analysis are also carried out in this section. Technical communication with aircraft manufacturers, Original Equipment Manufacturers and Civil Aviation Authorities is their day to day function. Last but not least, the Section ensures compliance with all airworthiness and regulatory requirements or laws.

Aircraft Maintenance takes place in the Hangar. Major and Minor repairs are carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s standards.Inventory and Logistics section carries out materials planning, goods inwards inspections and has vast storage facilities for aircraft spares including tyres, rubber and hose.

Another aspect of the maintenance department is overhaul. There are many different workshops like Metrology, Instruments, Radios, Electrics Hydraulics, Power Plants, Sheet Metal, Composite Materials, NDT, Painting, Welding Aircraft interiors and Safety Equipment.

Generally, aircraft maintenance programmes focus on preventive maintenance to avoid flight delays, cancellations, air turn backs and aircraft down times while accelerating turnaround times. A comprehensive Maintenance Program comprises of calendar times and aircraft utilisation as shown below.

Line Maintenance Checks

Also referred to as pre and post-flight maintenance service checks.

Check A

Check A is carried out on the ERJ145 every 500 flight hours. On B737 Check A is carried out every 250 flight hours or 60 calendar days or whichever comes first.

On the B767 Check A is carried out every 500 flight hours or 90 calendar days or whichever comes first.

Check B

Check B is carried out every 750 flight hours on the B737.

Check C

Check C is carried out on the ERJ145 every 5000 flight hours or 30 months or whichever comes first.

On B737 Check C is carried out every 3000 flight hours or 18 months or whichever comes first.

On the B767 Check C is carried out every 6000 flight hours or 18 months or whichever comes first.

Check D

Check D is carried out every 20000 flight hours on the B737.

Air Zimbabwe runs a Technical Training School (TTS), which is an integral part of the engineering Department. Engineer Type Training Courses, Pilot Ground School and Apprenticeship Courses are run at the school. Other courses on offer at the school include Human Factors in Aviation Accidents and Dangerous Goods. The school has also trained personnel for other domestic and regional operators.

Air Zimbabwe undertakes third party maintenance work for other airlines and offers commercial engineering services to non-aviation customers in Metrology, NDT, Welding and Accumulator refilling with Nitrogen.

The airline’s maintenance facility is approved by Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe to operate as an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) and also by the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority to provide AMO services for the B737-200.

SAFETY BEFORE SCHEDULE (SBS)