In the world of aviation, both aircraft and flight simulators require constant attention to maintain optimal performance, with Artemis Aerospace shedding light on the components most frequently replaced and the reasons behind these changes. The strenuous demands placed on aircraft, driven by airlines’ goals to minimize Aircraft on Ground (AOG) time, result in significant wear and tear. This necessitates ongoing maintenance, crucial for ensuring passenger safety and efficient operations.
Flight simulators, indispensable for pilot and cabin crew training, are designed to replicate various weather conditions, emergency scenarios, and global locations around the clock. Unlike actual aircraft, simulators experience a different pattern of wear and tear, though the urgency to keep them fully operational remains equally pressing.
The distinction between cosmetic and operational wear and tear in aircraft is significant. Cosmetic issues such as worn upholstery or broken armrests impact brand image but are less critical to safety. Operational concerns, including worn tyres or faulty navigation equipment, are vital for safe flying and compliance with stringent regulations. For instance, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates that commercial operators conduct inspections after every 50 and 100 hours of flight, focusing on everything from the aircraft’s exterior and engine to its electronics and navigation systems.
Simulators are often in use for up to 22 hours a day, creating a narrow window for maintenance and a backlog of issues if not promptly addressed. Components such as control devices and visual systems in simulators, including cathode ray tubes and printed circuit boards, undergo intense and frequent use, highlighting the robust nature of these training machines.
Commercial aircraft face varied patterns of wear based on their flight schedules. Short, frequent domestic flights, such as the 22 to 40 daily flights from London to Edinburgh, lead to substantial wear, particularly on passenger-related components like seats and overhead lockers. Long-haul flights, by contrast, present less frequent but more prolonged use of certain features, like seat recliners.
Key components in aircraft needing regular replacement include wheels, brakes, and batteries, with environmental conditions like ice also playing a role in the wear experienced by parts like propellers and engine fan blades. Similarly, in simulators, the high frequency of emergency training sessions results in faster degradation of seats, controls, and even oxygen masks, necessitated by the intense and repeated use.
In both cases—whether an aircraft or a simulator—the downtime caused by damaged or malfunctioning components translates directly into lost time and revenue, underscoring the essential role of dependable component suppliers like Artemis Aerospace in the aviation industry. Through meticulous maintenance and prompt provision of necessary parts, these specialists are pivotal in keeping both aircraft and simulators ready to perform at their best.