Yes, it is true: OUR tools make YOU money!
There is an industry belief that maintenance �costs� money. This is an antiquated half-truth that is overdue retirement. As you know, revenue generation is 100% dependent upon aircraft availability. When an aircraft has unnecessary Out-Of-Service time due to maintenance delays, revenue is lost. If, however, maintenance is performed in an efficient manner, In-Service time increases and revenue generation correspondingly follows. In other words: It is true that inefficient maintenance does cost you money, but the unappreciated �other-truth� is that efficient maintenance makes you money. Let me offer a few examples from EMS aviation. All of these are based upon actual events:
1: A 407 K-Flex is due replacement. At the beginning of the project a cable assembly on tool SKSP1425-101 fails. This is a very common problem. The mechanic must either force the K-Flex out of the aircraft (risking damage) or is delayed in returning the aircraft to service while awaiting a repair (or replacement) for the tool. If a flight request is received during that delay, the sub-standard tool has proven very costly. Our exclusive tool kit incorporates spare heavy-duty cable assemblies that (if necessary) can be swapped out in 5 minutes. No delay is incurred, and the flight request is later accepted. The quality tool has generated income that otherwise would have been lost - and provided emergent patient transport!
2: An EC135 is being tracked and balanced using the OEMs TTT-135 tab tool. The dial indicator slips out of the poorly designed tool frame and shatters on the helipad. Further progress is delayed, as the indicator is non-functional and out of calibration. Utilizing our tool, in which the indicator is securely fastened to the frame, negates this delay. A future flight request is accepted � rather than declined. The quality tool has generated income that otherwise would have been lost - and provided emergent patient transport!
3: While draining an EC145 hydraulic system, the indication pin is bent. The hydraulic pack is now unserviceable. Future flight revenue is lost, and a very expensive replacement module is required. If our unique tool p/n HYD-135/145 is used, the pin will not be bent, and future flight requests are accepted. The quality tool has generated income that otherwise would have been lost - and provided emergent patient transport!
4: A main rotor damper is due replacement on an Agusta 119. Due to the poor ergonomics and hazardous positioning forced upon the technician when using a conventional ladder, the task requires 1.5 hours to accomplish. A flight request is received 1.25 hours into the project. The revenue flight is missed� In contrast, utilizing the professional grade HeliLadder allows the technician to safely and efficiently complete the task in 1 hour. The flight request is accepted, and revenue is generated. So in actuality, the purchase of our HeliLadder did not �cost� the program anything, but rather the HeliLadder generated revenue that otherwise would have been lost � and provided care to the patient!
The list of examples could go on and on...
The belief that �maintenance� costs money is only true if safe and efficient practices are not being supported. Providing technicians with quality-designed tooling and professional grade ladder-stands, however, allows for efficient maintenance. Efficient maintenance reduces Out-Of-Service time, which increases revenue generation.
So it is true: OUR tools make YOU money!
Dale Neubauer
Senior EMS Mechanic and Tooling Designer
Blue Moon Designs LLC 541-647-3537