Air Astana Sets Regional Record With Simultaneous 6-Year & 12-Year C-Checks
Air Astana is currently conducting a unique dual maintenance operation at its technical center in Astana. The airline is simultaneously performing a 6-year and a 12-year C-Check on two of its aircraft, a procedure unprecedented in the region.
The 6-year C-Check, also known as C-6, involves a thorough inspection of the aircraft's fuselage, wings, landing gear, control systems, hydraulics, and electrical systems. Consumable elements are replaced as part of the process. Meanwhile, the 12-year C-Check, or C-12, delves deeper, checking for metal fatigue and corrosion in structural elements.
Since 2019, Air Astana has conducted 42 C-Checks across its bases in Almaty and Astana, including the first 6-year check in 2023 and a 12-year check scheduled for 2024. The maintenance begins on the apron with launch and hydraulic tests, followed by control surface checks. The aircraft is then moved to a hangar for dismantling and access panel removal.
The simultaneous execution of these checks involves a team of around 40 specialists per aircraft, including maintenance engineers, avionics technicians, structural specialists, and quality control inspectors. Over 600 work cards are planned for the C-6, and over 800 for the C-12. Standard service times are 24 days for the C-6 and 54 days for the C-12, but these can be extended due to logistics and unique parts.
Upon completion of the C-Checks, the aircraft will undergo a mandatory test flight without passengers. This in-country maintenance reduces dependence on foreign centers, minimizes aircraft downtime, and optimizes costs for Air Astana.
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