The mechanics are getting ready for the arrival of the first MRTT |
| Helen Chachaty |
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28 MAR 2018 | 407 words
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The first French A330 MRTT on its maiden flight © Airbus |
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As we announced last year (The first MRTT Phénix mechanics to receive part of their training in the civilian sector), the French Air Force's mechanics have started their training for the imminent arrival of their first A330 MRTT. The programme began last September for around thirty members of staff who acquired A330 type rating at Airbus's Toulouse site at the end of 2017.
The six-month practical part began in January and is carried out at a civilian airline. According to our information, this airline is XL Airways, which operates A330-200s powered by Trent 700s, like the future Phénix. Although previously under consideration, Corsair and Air France were ultimately not retained for this contract.
"Apart from the specialist MRTT equipment, these are the same planes", an airman told us. While the mechanics are not intended to be sent into the field for repairs, their integration into the airline teams at Roissy CDG is " total", such that they recently carried out a full planned A-Check type inspection independently, managed by an "APRSeur " (a qualified person for " Approval for Return to Service"). The mechanics will remain at Roissy until the end of June, before completing their training at the Istres BA 125 for a qualification phase.
A second group of mechanics are going to be trained in MRTT maintenance. Once they have obtained their type rating they will carry out the practical part directly on the plane which will have been delivered, under the watchful eye of the first staff trained and Airbus mechanics sent to the site.
The training should be provided fully in-house by 2020, even if studies are in progress into potential out-sourcing, at least partially. With the increase in the target from 12 to 15 aircraft, but above all the quicker delivery rates, recruitment and training requirements will be higher. "We need to think about it and see whether we can take on all the training ourselves or if we'll have to outsource part of it", we were told.
The first A330 MRTT intended for the French Air Force made its inaugural flight on 7th September last year. It is due to join the 31st Air Refuelling and Strategic Transport Wing next Fall. In time, post-2025, the fifteen MRTTs will be replacing the C-135FR/KC-135RG fleets, but also the two A340s and the three A310s of the Estérel transport squadron.
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