Inspection and Repair

Inspection is one of the key aspects of aviation maintenance. Sure, if a wing falls off everyone knows it but we don't want wings falling off. Or engines quitting. Or parts breaking. The key to preventing all of that is: inspection. It's important to find the little things and fix them to prevent them from becoming big things.

Two major inspections are going on right now. The smaller of the two inspections, both in size and scope, is of the Bakeng Deuce. The Bakeng Deuce was donated to MMS not too long ago and is going through a "condition inspection" which, for an "experimental" aircraft, is the equivalent of an "annual inspection" for a FAA certificated aircraft like a Piper, or a Cessna, or a Beechcraft. The Bakeng Deuce is a two seat, single engine, open cockpit, covered airplane.

Tim F. works in the forward cockpit while Paul inspects structure inside the leading edge of the Bakeng Duece wing.

The larger, more complex inspection is of the Cessna 337 used by LAMP for ministry in Canada. The 337 is a twin engine, six passenger aircraft made of aluminum and is in for an annual inspection and to have both engines overhauled.

Chuck, inside the fuselage, inspects the hydraulic lines that lock the retractable main gear in place on the Cessna 337.

Scott Grote, one of MMS's three Production Mechanics, is in charge of both inspections. He has a lot on his plate right now and is doing a great job managing the challenges.