Mechanics From Launch Customer Airline Learns How To Maintain
Its New Airplanes
It may seem like it's a little ahead of the game, but Boeing
announced Tuesday that it has completed the first maintenance
training class for the 787 Dreamliner. The class consisted of 10
mechanics from 787 launch customer ANA (All Nippon Airways) and two
regulators from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB).
(L-R) Tatsuo
Yanagisawa, ANA Instructor and Koichi Sato, ANA Maintenance
Manager
The mechanics, who completed the training last week, are the
first of 150 ANA mechanics to be trained by Boeing over the next
seven months. They spent more than 30 days learning how to maintain
the world's most advanced commercial jetliner, including 20 days of
theoretical training, two days of engine runs and taxi testing,
five days of practical training and five days of troubleshooting
exercises. To conclude the training, students conducted component
identification exams on production airplanes, as well as
troubleshooting exams in the full flight simulator.
To support the all-new 787, Boeing Training & Flight
Services, a division of Commercial Aviation Services, Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, has developed an all-digital, Internet-based
teaching system for maintenance training, along with training tools
that connect real-time to a virtual airplane and airplane
systems.
"Getting our mechanics trained and prepared is essential to
being ready to take delivery of the airplane later this year," said
Michihide Kono, vice president of Engineering and Maintenance for
ANA. "This is an important milestone for our ANA team and we are
delighted to see the continued progress on the program."
The curriculum is designed to focus on performance-based
training that incorporates real-world simulated maintenance
scenarios for a more immersive training experience.
"The use of personal tablet computers, interactive
computer-based training, three-dimensional images and desktop
simulation makes it possible to deliver training more efficiently,"
said Sherry Carbary, vice president of Boeing Training & Flight
Services, Commercial Aviation Services, Boeing Commercial
Airplanes. "Our team is committed to providing our customers with
the resources and tools they need to be successful."
The 787 comes with digital tools and databases that replace
volumes of printed materials. The graphic and textual database has
point-and-click features for more details, allowing mechanics to
navigate through documents quickly to get the information they need
to do their jobs.
"This milestone is another important step along the way to being
service-ready," said Mike Fleming, director of 787 Services and
Support, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Our goal is to make entry
into service a seamless experience for our customers."