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Hillaero Modification Center
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that the three primary components on the King Air nose landing gear were found to be unserviceable on his unit. His brace had a worn bore, his barrel had worn internal bushings and the beginnings of corrosion in the lower neck, and his chrome had pitting on the forward sur- face. The OEM price of the new replace- ment parts were $26,000 for the brace, $11,000 for the barrel and $30,000 for the piston/axle and that was without labor. We examined the gear and found the com- ponents to be repairable. Our final invoice was under $9,000 and included repair of the worn bore in the brace, recondition- ing of the barrel correcting both the worn bushings and eliminating the corrosion, replacement of the repairable piston with a reconditioned unit with new chrome, and installation of a reconditioned axle.
TWIN & TURBINE: You’ve amassed quite a bit of data during 46 years in business. Any trends you’re noticing among the parts you receive from King Air operators?
SEAVEY: Our experience provides us with a unique perspective on the value of proper maintenance and reconditioning. For example, the barrel on the nose
landing gear of the King Air is a $14,000 part. We recondition them for $2,500 to $3,500. That reconditioning occurs at the 6-year cycle. Skipping the reconditioning can render the barrel unserviceable at the next 6-year interval due to corrosion, which could have been treated and corrected at the previous inspection. Not being aware of the reconditioning process can result in a $10,000 to $12,000 cost. Our experience is focused on reducing BER (beyond economic repair) items. We reduce premature failures, unscheduled maintenance requirements and cost. Every time we eliminate an in-service failure of a component, we have eliminated a risk and a potential safety event.
December 2018
TWIN & TURBINE • 9
MeLinda Schnyder is a writer and editor based in Wichita, Kansas. She writes most often about aviation, busi- ness and travel. She worked 12 years in the corporate communications de- partments for Beechcraft and Cessna Aircraft Company. MeLinda can be reached at mvschnyder@gmail.com.
Banyan Air Service
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