Every aircraft has different types of inspections that are mandatory or suggested by the FAA. Hawker airplanes are no different. The purpose of Hawker’s detailed schedule of inspections is to ensure complete airworthiness of the aircraft, and the safety of the pilot, crew, and passengers.
A Brief History of The Hawker Aircraft
Hawker entered the scene shortly after WWI. In the aftermath of the war, Sopwith Aviation Company had gone bankrupt and its test pilot, Harry Hawker, along with three others, formed H.G. Hawker Engineering.
The first Hawker design was the Hawker Humpback, which was designed but never built in 1920. The first prototype, however, flew just three years later in 1923. On the heels of WWI, Hawker produced a number of successful bombers and fighters for the Royal Air Force, including the Hawker Hind and the Hawker Hart, which became the most produced UK airplane in the years leading up to WWII.
In 1933, they renamed the company to Hawker Aircraft Limited. Taking advantage of the Great Depression and the financial struggles of many companies, Hawker Aircraft Limited purchased Gloster Aircraft Company in 1934 and also merged with an engine and automotive company and its subsidiary, Armstrong Siddeley, the following year—ultimately forming Hawker Siddeley Aircraft.
Hawker Phased Inspections
There are phased inspections and there are un-phased inspections for Hawker 800. The Hawker phased inspections include:
- 200 Hour Lubrication – 200 flight hour intervals with a 50 hour tolerance window
- 400 Hour Lubrication – 400 flight hour intervals with a 50 hour tolerance window
- 400 Hour Detailed Walk Around Inspection – 400 flight hour intervals with a 50 hour tolerance window
- Airbrake Selector Lever Baulk Inspection – 400 flight hour intervals with a 50 hour tolerance window
Tolerance window refer to a 50 flight hour buffer around the phased inspection requirements. For example, with the 200 hour lubrication, that inspection can occur anywhere from 191 flight hours to 240 flight hours. For the 400 hour window, inspections can occur anywhere between 391 flight hours and 440 flight hours. If an inspection is done within the tolerance window, then the time when the inspection is next due isn’t changed.
Hawker Un-Phased Inspections
There are B-G inspections that also occur at select intervals for Hawker aircraft. Note that there isn’t an “A” inspection. Instead of the Group A Those inspections are as follows:
- Inspection Group B – 800 flight hour intervals with a 50 hour tolerance window
- Inspection Group C – 1600 flight hour intervals with a 100 hour tolerance window
- Inspection Group D – 3200 flight hour intervals with a 200 hour tolerance window
- Inspection Group E – 12 month interval with a 1 calendar month tolerance window
- Inspection Group F – 24 month interval with a 2 calendar month tolerance window
- Inspection Group G – 48 month interval with a 2 calendar month tolerance window
Note that there isn’t an “A” inspection. Instead of the Group A inspection, there is the 400 hour Detailed Walk Around inspection.
It is possible to combine Hawker inspection tasks within the same tolerance window. A knowledgeable maintenance team will be able to coordinate what tasks can be combined and how, in order for you to maximize your downtime and save on labor costs.
What’s Included in Hawker Inspections
A maintenance team will assess various aspects of the aircraft depending on what phase or group inspection is scheduled. Not to mention, every inspection will be slightly different based on the individual aircraft. However, at a high level, the maintenance team will be looking for:
-
- Metal Parts – Cleanliness, external signs of damage, leaks, overheating, discharge, fluid ingress, obstruction of drainage or vent holes, correct seating and sealing of fairings and serviceability of fasteners, security of attachments, security of fasteners, security of connections, security of locking and bonding. The maintenance team will also check for distortion, dents, scores, chafing, pulled or missing fasteners, rivets, bolts, screws, signs of cracks or wear, separation of bonding, failure of welding, deterioration of protective treatments, and signs of corrosion.
- Rubber, Fabric, Fiber Glass, and Plastic Parts – Cleanliness, cracks, cuts, chafing, kinking, twisting, crushing, contraction, deterioration, crazing, loss of flexibility, overheating, and fluid soakage. The maintenance team will also check for security of the attachments, connections, and locking.
- Control system components – Correct alignment, free movement, signs of bowing, scores, chafing, fraying, kinking, signs of wear, flattening, cracks, loose rivets, deterioration of protective treatment, and signs of corrosion. They will also ensure that the electrical bonding is correctly positioned, undamaged, and secure.
- Electrical motors, alternators, generators, and actuators – Cleanliness, obvious damage, signs of overheating, signs of corrosion. They will also check for adequate spring tension and fluid ingress.
- Relays, solenoids, and contactors – Cleanliness, obvious damage, signs of overheating, signs of corrosion, and security of attachments and connections. They will also remove protective coverings if needed and check for cleanliness, pitting, or burning of contacts.
- Structural inspection – The maintenance team will perform a detailed inspection of the lap joints, butt straps, stringers, frames, bulkheads, ribs, and skins and check for any lack of adhesion, bubbles, or signs of corrosion. If any sign of corrosion or cracking is spotted, they will strip the areas of paint and inspect further with a dye that will penetrate the area.
Let Winner Aviation Walk You Through Your Hawker Inspections
We’re here to help you make sense of your inspection requirements, and we’re also here to help you optimize those Hawker inspections to reduce downtime and save money. Get in touch with our maintenance team today to discuss next steps or to ask any questions you may have.
