Delta Air Lines is preparing to receive its first Airbus A321, which is to replace the Boeing 757 currently in use by the company. The request was made in 2013, with an initial plan for 30 aircraft, later extended to 45 firm orders.
The adoption of the new aircraft took Delta to start a complex receiving program first copy. One of the highlights of the receiving process is complete check every detail of the entire aircraft.
employee Delta for 21 years and very attentive to every detail, especially with regard to the delivery of aircraft to the company, the general manager of Fleet, Brian Shea, is categorical, as it reclines to 17C chair: "These are assets of millions dollars that will carry millions of customers over millions of kilometers during its estimated thirty years with Delta. "
Among the findings made by Shea is a complete inspection of the functionality of all systems for passengers. Checking each of the tables located behind the seats, head restraints test, open and close windows and overhead bins and ensure that the onboard entertainment system is working as it should. The team led by Shea includes nine experts in their respective fields.
Dressed in orange vests and equipped with a tape with the same vibrant tone, the team found almost every centimeter of the cabin, marking small production errors - A stuck open window and a seat with rigid reclining, for example.
Outside, Dan Treffert, maintenance technician, Rick Angell, quality assurance specialist, and Doug Selby, technical manager for 40 years, are raised in the air cranes, where they examine each mobile surface and aerodynamics, inspect hundreds of rivets, screws and other cutting-edge connectors the tip of the aircraft. Back to the ground, they rise to the landing gear and the central electronic system of the aircraft.
Selby, one honored by Chairman's Club - the highest distinction of the Delta, has participated in several aircraft deliveries. He helped inspect and deliver the first aircraft Airbus narrow fuselage that arrived at Northwest Airlines in the late 1980s and has done so since.
For him, to ensure that the aircraft is in perfect condition is a pleasure. "I worked with a team of the most talented technical area for the maintenance of our aircraft and it is exciting to know this plane will transport our customers years after I retire."
While washbasins, kitchens and seating are inspected in the cabin, the commanders of the Delta, Vorgias Dave and Pat Haake, were busy in the cockpit checking each aircraft system. Testing simple things like light signaling seat belt, even more complicated as the test of the hydraulic system and flight, they left the cockpit confident to fly the aircraft in its first test flight with passengers.
At the end of twelve hours of work, the team did not find any serious problems with the aircraft and Airbus technicians were working to resolve the elements of interior and exterior that were marked with orange tape.
"It's a great aircraft," said Shea. "We are excited to put it into service."
The next phase includes a complete verification of systems in flight. The flight although far from flight tests, aims to verify the functionality of all processes and systems.
