LHR 744 fleet and aircraft swaps

Hi folks,

Some of you had noticed, and others were asking, about the aircraft swaps that are going on at the moment, specifically on "usually 744" flights like the VS1/2.

(The other more observant people have already noticed that the 5/6 MIA is a 744 during the busy winter season, with the 7/8 LAX going over to 346 operation.)

It appears as though all the LHR 744 fleet are being cycled through KLM Maintenance at Amsterdam at the moment. I guess they are due for a heavy maintenance check that can't be done in house by VS Engineering. FAB went a couple of weeks ago, ROC went last week, and now it looks like BIG is over there.

So, it looks like the tactic is to swap 1/2 for a 346, and I've noticed that the 3/4 seems to be producing 744s, as well as the 45/46. I assume this is to get the 744 fleet back at LHR at a reasonable time in the morning to be able to turn the aircraft around, and have some flexibility in the airframe deployment.

Cheers,
Mike

[honey lamb]

I've noticed that the 3/4 seems to be producing 744s

Except that VS4 last Wednesday was a 346 [:(!]

BUT will the replacement 346 on 1/2 have the new PE seats?:D:D

HKA

[fozzyo]

Is part of this the rollout of the new PE cabin? It seems to be getting out across the fleet fairly quickly with half of all aircraft already done. Admitidly this is probably a lot simpler then going from J2000 to UCS in Upper so it is understandably quicker.

On our recent return from JFK we had a 343!

Originally posted by fozzyo
Is part of this the rollout of the new PE cabin? It seems to be getting out across the fleet fairly quickly with half of all aircraft already done. Admitidly this is probably a lot simpler then going from J2000 to UCS in Upper so it is understandably quicker.

With them going to KLM, I'm assuming it's some sort of airframe or engine maintenance. It seems that KLM do paint and mechanical work for the VS 744 fleet. It makes sense, as the KLM 744 fleet is GE engined, like the VS fleet is. As I recall, all the Upper Class refits for the 744 fleet were done by SR Technics in Dublin. I don't think KLM do the interior work for VS.

One would assume we'd have heard back if the 744s have started to get the interior reconfigs!

On our recent return from JFK we had a 343!

Which is a fairly good indicator of the level of flux right now - with a 744 out, and the 346s being cycled through SR Technics in Zurich for "config 2", new PE cabin, and a bunch of other modifications and retrofits, it seems like prime time for aircraft swaps.

Cheers,
Mike

I'd imagine that this is for heavy maintenance as mike-smashing has said. I also reckon that this is related to the fact that some of the Airworthiness Certificates of some of the 744s due to expire over the next 12 months.

So if VROC went to AMS last week, it looks like i wont be going on her on Wednesday!

Originally posted by hairy114
So if VROC went to AMS last week, it looks like i wont be going on her on Wednesday!

Nope, she's back. Looks like they flew BIG out, and brought ROC back.

isnt it for those " Deep cleans" some one said the 744's are having?

Originally posted by Airbus340
isnt it for those " Deep cleans" some one said the 744's are having?

I'm pretty sure the cleans are administered at Heathrow and Gatwick. It won't require the specialised environment of a large maintenance base, like KLM's huge hangars at Amsterdam (the biggest can accomodate six 747s).

The aircraft going to Amsterdam are gone for a little over a week. That sounds like either a C check (these happen every 12-18 months, dependant on hours and cycles accumulated), or a modification programme. If it was a D check, I think it would take 4-5 weeks to complete.

ISTR that VS can do their own A and B checks, plus minor repairs at Heathrow and Gatwick now they have hangars at both facilities.

The "deep clean" is probably done in a matter of hours by a crack team of cleaners armed with lots of chemicals - so, for example, an aircraft could come in off an early morning arrival like the VS12 or VS46, re-positioned to a remote stand, deep cleaned, and still be ready to work the VS1 in the afternoon. Otherwise, if the aircraft is stood down for some other reason, you just hit it with the heavy clean then.

Cheers,
Mike

Deep cleans are done over night and heavy maintenance checks on the B744 are done in AMS

Originally posted by G-VOPS
Deep cleans are done over night and heavy maintenance checks on the B744 are done in AMS

Thanks G-VOPS;)

The "deep clean" is probably done in a matter of hours by a crack team of cleaners armed with lots of chemicals


I like that..crack team of cleaners....you obviously haven't seen the cleaners in action at Heathrow on a layover aircraft.....

[fozzyo]

Originally posted by mike-smashing
The aircraft going to Amsterdam are gone for a little over a week. That sounds like either a C check (these happen every 12-18 months, dependant on hours and cycles accumulated), or a modification programme. If it was a D check, I think it would take 4-5 weeks to complete.

ISTR that VS can do their own A and B checks, plus minor repairs at Heathrow and Gatwick now they have hangars at both facilities.

Hey Mike, quick question - whats are A, B, C and D checks?

Thanks
Mat

Originally posted by fozzyo
Hey Mike, quick question - whats are A, B, C and D checks?

They are different types of maintenance check carried out on aircraft as part of the scheduled maintenance programme. What has to be done at each check is determined by the documentation from the aircraft manufacturer - and this schedule is also endorsed by the relevant safety authorities such as EASA.

A checks are done every month, it's the aircraft version of checking the basics such as oil, water, tyres, etc., of your car. A checks are usually either done at the gate, or overnight.

B checks are about every 3 months, can be done overnight, and are more in-depth.

C checks are about every 12-18 months, take about a week, and are the "annual service" for the aircraft.

When an aircraft goes through a D check, the aircraft is practically stripped down and rebuilt, and these are necessary every five years or so.

(I understand that it's Singapore Airlines' policy to only ever put their aircraft through one D check before they sell it. Given that each D check costs somewhere in the region of £1-1.5m, it's hardly surprising. This is effectively the influence beind their fleet being relatively young. It's also the reason why they are irritated by the A380 delay. It means they might have to put some of their 744 fleet through a second expensive D check, rather than sell it off.)

The frequency of the checks is determined by the number of flying hours and "cycles" (1 cycle = one take off and one landing) the aircraft has done.

We used to have at least one certified airframe tech on here, so maybe they can chime in with more detail if people are interested.

Cheers!
Mike

How many crew are on the hops to AMS.. Do any freeloaders ever get to hop over on such trips? Ive often wondered that about cargo planes too whether you could get somewhere Michael Palin style.....

I have picked up several aircraft from KLM in AMS and all B744, And several A340 from Dublin.

Its the Big checks that get done usually, Im not sure where cabin refits happen?
Ill try and find out and get back

As I recall, the UCS fit outs for the 744 fleet were done at SR Technics in Dublin (or FLS as it was back then), as were the Bucket & Spade re-configs for VAST and VXLG when they transferred to Gatwick. The full re-fit (new seats throughout and v:port) for VHOT and VFAB were also done in DUB.

The 346s went to Toulouse for their UCS fit out, I think.

I'm trying to remember where the 343s went for their UCS refit. Was it Toulouse or Dublin?

I think the new PE cabin is going in the 346 fleet during their "Config 2" modification visits to SR Technics in Zurich.

The original interior fit-out of the 747-441 (Alitalia build) aircraft which are the backbone of the LGW B&S fleet happened in New Zealand - I don't remember if it was in AKL or CHC.

Cheers,
Mike

[i]

I think the new PE cabin is going in the 346 fleet during their "Config 2" modification visits to SR Technics in Zurich.

Yes true, however the Wcl seats werent ready for some s/c that went first, so are config 2 with "plastic terrors" for the time being[V]