European regulators have approved an extension to A-check intervals for ATR turboprops to 750 flight hours, as part of the manufacturer's efforts to reduce maintenance costs for the aircraft.
Previously, European Aviation Safety Agency regulation required operators to conduct the light checks after 500h.
ATR says the extension represents a “significant reduction in aircraft maintenance costs and an increased aircraft availability” for the twin-turboprop family.
The reduction from three to two checks over a 1,500h period translates to an additional day of operations, the manufacturer says.
Senior vice-president programmes and customer services Tom Anderson states: “This certification reflects the robust maintenance policies and procedures that we have worked to put in place. The next step is now to target an escalation of the C-checks to provide even more value,” he adds.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
