LHT creates dedicated A380 team

German MRO provider says ultra-large airliner's systems could pose serious challenge to non-specialist personnel

Lufthansa Technik plans to create crack A380 line maintenance teams to handle the unique safety issues that the ultra-large airliner presents.

Speaking in New York after the A380's first route-proving flight to the USA operated by Airbus and Lufthansa, Axel Pfeiffer, project manager for A380 aircraft maintenance at LHT, said the higher, 345 bar (5,000lb/in²) hydraulic system posed a serious challenge to line maintenance personnel.

"Systems operating at such high pressure could be dangerous if, for example a technician opens the system with a screwdriver. He may just not think about how much pressure is behind that screwdriver," says Pfeiffer.

"Our plan is therefore to establish a dedicated group of A380 line maintenance technicians, highly experienced people for this innovative aircraft," he adds.

Pfeiffer expects the team to constitute around 20 people when LHT's sister airline takes its first of 15 A380s in mid-2009. "Additions to the A380 fleet and the dependability and reliability of the aircraft will determine the eventual size of the team," he adds.

He says additional care will be needed when handling the A380's kevlar hydraulic tubes, which could be seriously damaged if over-torqued. Mobile work platforms on wheels will also be used to reach all the systems of the aircraft. Stable telescopic cranes with buckets will also guarantee safe working conditions at heights of up to 24m (79ft), such as the tail unit of the A380.

LHT is building a 49,000m² (527,000ft²) line maintenance hangar at its Frankfurt Main airport facility which is due for completion in 2015. Meanwhile, LHT's Chinese joint venture partner Ameco Beijing started construction work on an A380 hangar last September.

Source: Flight International