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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 0047.PDF
Viking ot Blackbushe in on advanced stage of a 600-hour inspection. The Charter fleet comprises 6 Vikings and a Freighter. employees who are assisted by locally recruited labour. In the 140,000 sq ft of floor space occupied by Airwork at Gatwick, a relatively large portion is devoted to the overhaul of component parts—again, under contract to the Ministry of Supply. On arrival the components are stripped of fabric and paint in order that all damage may be detected. They are then examined by an inspector of the Airwork works inspection department, the chief inspec- tor of which is approved by the Air Registration Board. Each inspector is consequently approved as a delegate of the chief inspector. After examination, a survey report is issued for each component; it is then passed to the plan- ning department and directions are issued. The report includes the estimated time which should be taken for the repair to be completed, and if the repair is done in less time the mechanic receives cash benefit. To enhance the already comprehensive Service to opera- tors, the company has at all times a party of licensed engineers ready to be dispatched for making immediate repairs on the site of an aircraft breakdown or mishap. In fact, at a. few hours' notice a party comprising engineers of all grades could be available to travel to most places overseas, complete with passports and necessary clearance. Mr. R. W. Cantello, from his headquarters at Hounslow, is responsible as general service manager for the entire maintenance organization. Blackbushe and Langley We have so far examined only the activities at Gatwick and those overseas, but the organization embraces main- tenance of the Airwork charter aircraft at Blackbushe, and the servicing of smaller aircraft at Langley. I must admit that there was little activity at Blackbushe at the time of my visit, since four of the six Vikings were out of the country; one was in Karachi, and the other three were at Wadi Haifa, Dar-es-Salaam and Kuwait, while the Freighter was on its way home from Stockholm. Two Vikings were in the hangar, one on a 600-hour and the other on a 35-hour inspection. Charter flying is so arranged that when destinations are at a greater distance from bast- than can be covered by a total of 35 flying hours, a maintenance crew flies with the aircraft. All 100-hour or longer inspections are dgne at base, except of course when aircraft are1 operating indefi- nitely overseas. The normal run to Wadi Haifa takes a (Above) : After the Bristol Freighter had" returned from Stockholm Mr. R. W. Qantello (right), Airworji general service manager, examines the log books with Mr. S. J. H. hkfmmond, service manager, Blackbushe. (Below) ; Dismantling a glider at Langley for delivery after checking. On the left is the Lancaster fitted with the Brabazon I elevator control mock-up, and in the background Denham Club Tiger Moth.
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