Scheduling regular maintenance to be performed by a Sunair Aviation aircraft mechanic in Central Florida keeps your aircraft operational and free from unexpected problems. The tune-up and inspections ensure aircraft are airworthy and safe. Plainly, your plane should be properly inspected frequently.

Airplane maintenance aims to take care of all structures and components of an aircraft. You get the chance to replace worn out parts before they falter or fail completely and to modify your aircraft by enhancing aircraft design.

Note that different components of aircraft have different inspection schedules. For example, while an emergence locator transmitter requires checking every 12 months, altimeters and transponders require checks after 24 months.

Importance of Airplane Maintenance in Central Florida 

Your aircraft is a significant investment. Whether you use it for business or pleasure, it's a crucial capital asset that needs utmost care.

Here are the 4 top benefits of servicing your aircraft regularly:

1.     Safeguards Passenger Safety

The safety of air travelers should be a paramount priority. The best way to guarantee passengers’ safety is through inspections. After proper checks, you can be assured of a smooth ride and passenger safety. It is, therefore, critical you carry out proper maintenance to your aircraft.

2.     A Central Florida Aircraft Mechanic Ensures Your Airplane is Performing Optimally

When you maintain your aircraft regularly, the plane is well-serviced all the time. Thus, components are less likely to fail, and you will avoid cases of engine failure. This means you will get to your destination on time. As any trained pilot knows, it is imperative to perform operational checks before embarking on any flight.

3.     Boosts the Lifespan of Your Aircraft

Consistent maintenance extends the lifespan of your airplane. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when replacing different components.

4.     Prevent Lost Flights

Through consistent maintenance, your aircraft will be functioning at its best. As a result, the incidences of canceled flights will be greatly reduced. Your aircraft mechanic can help replace faulty components according to the manual.

Different Categories of Aircraft Maintenance

Airplane maintenance in Central Florida includes structural or component, scheduled or unscheduled, progressive or preventative.

An experienced Central Florida aircraft mechanic for Piper, Cessna, and King Air, to name a few, can confirm that they're airworthy. The first step is to lubricate and repair parts that are susceptible to wear. Then check for failure using operational or visual inspections.

An operational inspection helps to figure out impending failure. A professional aircraft mechanic (in Central Florida, Leesburg is host to Sunair Aviation) can usually predict the failure rate of components. Otherwise, the mechanic might suggest replacement or restoration.

1.     Structural maintenance

Your aircraft structure is prone to damage from normal use and aging. A new aircraft has a program that assesses damage tolerance, structural design information, and fatigue. Structural maintenance examines causes of structural damages such as deterioration due to fatigue, environment, and accidents.

It also evaluates how susceptible each structure is to the deterioration and consequences of such damages. Some of the effects of structural deterioration include reduced structural strength and loss of functionality. Structural maintenance helps to determine applicable methods and their effectiveness in detecting structural damage.

2.     Component Maintenance

Component maintenance focuses on different airplane parts to prevent failure. Beside age-related wear, generic components also fail by chance.

Component maintenance ensures that each part attains potential reliability. Here is an interesting point. Overdoing maintenance does not do any good. On the other hand, lack of proper maintenance degrades the reliability of each part. A trusted aircraft mechanic like the one you will find at Sunair Aviation in Leesburg will know the difference.

3.     Preventative Maintenance

Preventative operations require relatively simple repairs and disassembling. An experienced aircraft mechanic performs certain tasks to help you continuously fly smoothly and safely.

It's possible for you to take care of some light maintenance for a plane that does not carry passengers. However, you will need an aircraft mechanic with FAA certification to achieve more substantial maintenance. FAA categorizes preventative repairs as either minor or major.

To be certain your components last long, you can use the following preventative maintenance methods:

• Hard Time – Although it isn’t cost-effective, this maintenance method is essential. Basically, you're required to change a component once the factory-set lifespan has lapsed.

• Functional Inspections – They help check the operation of a component to enable the daily performance of an aircraft before replacement.

• Functional Verification – It's the most effective and thorough component maintenance method. It involves checking the component function, especially parts that are not visible during a flight.

4.     Progressive Maintenance

Under progressive maintenance, an aircraft undergoes continuous inspection instead of an all-around check. It's an ideal check for large fleets because it allows for convenient and strategic servicing. This means there will be little downtime. Progressive maintenance is suitable for passenger planes.

King Air Phase Inspections

Our King Air Phase Inspection service follows factory-recommended guidelines per 91.409(f)(3). This service is acceptable in lieu of an annual inspection. Further, an IA certificate is not required for the logbook signoff.

Your King Air aircraft mechanic will conduct unique inspections, due at various intervals, such as 12, 24, 30, 36 months. Although some inspections are due every 12 months, even these are not called “Annual Inspections,” just part of a “Phase.”

King Air Inspection Programs

Biennial Inspection Program

You can take advantage of what Beech call a “Biennial Inspection Program” and get a Phase I-IV inspection every other year if you meet these three requirements:

• You are a “light flyer,” in the air less than 200 hours in a 24-month period

• Your aircraft receives an interim inspection at the 12-month mark in alternate years

• ·You make a declaration in your logbooks that the aircraft is on the Biennial Inspection Program

Naturally, any concerns found during the interim inspection must be addressed by your King Air aircraft mechanic. A checklist for this inspection is found in the maintenance manual. In simple terms, it’s a complete operational check.

The last requirement is a matter of timing and intent. You can’t go two years without a phase and abruptly declare you are doing the Biennial Inspection Program.

Alternate Phase Inspection Program

Although your aircraft may qualify for the Biennial Inspection Program, you may want to choose the Alternate Phase Inspection Program. This provides two phases each year and will conclude all four phases in a two-year period. If you are a frequent flyer of your Beech King Air aircraft, maintenance is important to you—as it should be. This program provides more peace of mind for the moderate user.

Most King Air aircraft mechanics will be asked to perform maintenance and inspection work on the Alternate Phase Inspection program. You will be qualified for this program if your average flying time is around 16.5 hours/month or less. Keep in mind, the four phases are not identical. Even though you are doing two phases every year, it isn’t the same as an annual inspection on a piston aircraft. Each phase has its own item checklist for inspection and there are redundancy and uniqueness in them, by phase.

King Air 200-hour Phase Inspection Program

If your King Air aircraft is in the air an average of more than 33 hours per month, you will be needing a phase inspection every 200 hours. A high usage rate like this will burn through all four phases within a 24-month period. Remember, no matter how much or how little your King Air flies, you will need to complete all four phase inspections every 24 months.

Be sure to record whatever inspection program you decide on in your logbooks.

Other King Air Maintenance Items

Beyond Phase Inspection Programs, King Air aircraft mechanics are aware there are systems and parts that require Special Inspection, Overhaul, or Replacement. Some are based on a calendar schedule, while others are triggered by hours of use. Here is a brief list of some:

• hydrostatic test on the oxygen bottle (36 or 60 months) depending on bottle model

• instrument air filter (600-hour replacement)

• starter generator overhaul (or the 1,000-hour)

• flap flex shaft replacement (5,000-cycle)

Of course, in addition to the phase program you use, significant items like landing gear, props, and engine maintenance checked. If either or both of your engines are on the M.O.R.E. program, there are additional required King Air engine maintenance steps to fulfill compliance with that program.

Line maintenance is conducted after 100 hours of flight. It involves inspecting the brakes, fluid levels, and wheels and doing the required repairs.

Remember Your Pilot’s Operating Handbook

The POH has valuable information that will be instrumental to your Phase Inspection. Please do not forget to bring it along when you arrange for an inspection. The performance envelope data and instrument specifications are vital, in addition to any modifications that have been made to your King Air aircraft. Plus, all STCs contain Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) that are within the POH. The ICA gives the relevant maintenance requirements.

Bring the Logbooks to Maintenance

It goes a long way toward a smooth inspection for your King Air mechanic to have your logbooks and POH present for reference during service. Most assuredly, if those aren’t on-site, there will be pronounced need to have them for some reason. Be proactive and be a pro—pack them with your overnight bag and hand them over to the mechanic.

If It Flies, Sunair Aviation Can Help!

Air travel is the fastest way to move cargo and people. Therefore, the importance of aircraft maintenance can’t be overemphasized. When carrying out maintenance, it should be in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations found in the manual. It's prudent to work with a qualified aircraft mechanic to meet all the rules and regulations of airworthiness.

Servicing your aircraft helps to avoid unnecessary expenses which can add up quite fast. It's highly advisable you consider all categories of inspection by a certified Central Florida aircraft mechanic when scheduling your airplane maintenance. Regular inspections are an ideal option for heavy use aircraft. This means you will go for more checks throughout the year and the periods between inspections reduce. In conclusion, ensure you prioritize your safety when performing maintenance checks, and contact Sunair Aviation at Leesburg International Airport for renowned Central Florida aircraft maintenance and service on your aircraft.