Last phase inspection on the F-117A

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Kocin
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  There are many maintenance preparations, and checks that are needed to prepare an F-117 for flight. In this case, Holloman's F-117's are going through their last maintenance check before they retire later this year to Tonopah Test Range, Nev.

Aircraft have a specific amount of time that they can be flown before maintenance has to be done. These aircraft's flying hours are recorded in a database by the 49th Maintenance Operations Squadron. When the aircraft reach their maximum amount of flying hours they are brought in to phase for inspection.

"Phase inspections are a blocked off set amount of time that allows for in-depth aircraft inspections to be done at one time. Doing all of the inspections at one time allows for the aircraft to be available to fly more," said Tech. Sgt. Alton Leonard, 49th Maintenance Operations Squadron, Superintendent of Wings Plans and Scheduling.

Sergeant Leonard said, "Instead of putting a jet down every couple of hours here and there, we schedule it for one period so it can be available for flight and whatever else it needs to do, and minimizes the downtime of the aircraft."

The phase inspection is a complicated process in which the aircraft is divided into five separate areas and personnel are assigned to the different areas. Doing all of the inspections at one time allows for one complete rating of pass or fail for the entire aircraft, not just one section. This is important because a normal phase inspection is a lengthy process.

"The average phase can run 10 to 12 days depending on whether it's a 300 or 600 hour phase," said Master Sgt. Bruce Hoersten, 49th Maintenance Operations Squadron, Maintenance Flight Chief.

Some of the inspections involved in the phase process are flight control operations checks to help make sure that the flight controls are rigged correctly and there are no malfunctions. Landing gear checks are also performed to ensure there are no abnormalities.

"We have personnel assigned that are engine room qualified," said Sergeant Hoersten. "Due to the level of teardown accomplished during phase inspections, engine runs are required to ensure all aircraft systems are operating correctly."

This process helps ensure that the aircraft is safe and ready for its next flight.