As the general-authority toward maintenance, repair and overhaul procedures to the propeller systems of Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft around the world, the USAF has released three mandatory safety Time Compliance Technical Orders (TCTO) to all operators. The TCTOs address the airworthiness (and replacement if required) of older propeller blades as well as issuing inspection, maintenance, and repair guidelines for all prop blades in service near term.
TCTO 3H1-18-516 & 1C-130-2251 Inspection and Removal of 54H60 Propeller Blades Serial Numbers Prior to SN 813320
TCTO 3H1-18-515 Eddy Current Inspection
TCTO March 2019 expected release – Expedite TCTO 3H1-18-515
While very important to flight safety, the TCTOs put maintenance and repair requirements on global military and civilian operators that are in many cases beyond the capabilities in manpower, technical knowledge or proper tooling to comply.
Rob Walker, Vice President/General Manager for Pacific Propeller International Technical Services (PPITS) explains the TCTO requirements are certainly very important, but it is going to be a challenge to comply while maintaining an acceptable level of fleet readiness. “Many operators do not possess the ability to disassemble propellers and perform the necessary inspections and repairs in-house. This will impact those operators with added AOG time while propellers are sent back to an I-level or depot facility to perform these inspections. Excessive AOG time for multiple aircraft within a country’s fleet can result in those effected militaries not being able to respond to national emergencies, protection, natural disasters, loss of pilot and crew proficiency and qualifications.”
Mr. Walker continues, “Operators also face further problems after removing propellers from aircraft to perform these inspections. They will certainly have additional repair work to perform on these propellers to return them to an airworthy status. A lot of operators don’t have the capability, tools/equipment, training or technical expertise to perform such repairs. They are faced with further AOG time or make an unadvised decision to put a propeller back in service without the needed repairs. In short, after the dust has settled from the TCTO releases, the operators are left wondering what to do and how to get their aircraft back flying as soon as possible.”
Pacific Propeller International Technical Services (PPITS) has a solution
As the officially licensed OEM MRO for the 54H60 propeller, Pacific Propeller international has reviewed the TCTO releases and quickly identified the immediate impact these have had and will have on the global fleet, as well as on PPI’s ability to support the C-130 community. PPI has a sister company, C&S Propeller located in Dallas/Ft. Worth that is also an approved 54H60 MRO.
Pacific Propeller International Technical Services is creating mobile teams of experts in preparation to meet the needs of global operators. These teams will be ready to dispatch to any part of the world to conduct required inspections and provide customers with repair processes as requested.
This program will be based on a first come first served basis. PPITS encourages customers to not be last to sign up for this program as it will ultimately extend AOG times for operators.
Pacific Propeller International along with sister companies Pacific Propeller International Technical Services and C&S Propeller provides an opportunity to proudly serve their customers while providing a quick and decisive response.
