MAEL conducts first C check for UK A330 tanker

31 May 2012 by Michael Gubisch - FG

London - Monarch Aircraft Engineering (MAEL) has completed the first C check for the UK's Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport "Voyager" fleet.

The work was conducted on behalf of AirTanker Services, a subsidiary of the AirTanker consortium comprising EADS, Thales, Babcock, Cobham and Rolls-Royce, which supplies the aircraft to the UK Ministry of Defence.

However, AirTanker Services says in future it will maintain the ordered 14-strong fleet at its own facility at RAF Brize Norton, and external suppliers will only be employed if additional capacity is needed. The initial C check for the first aircraft was contracted out as the in-house capability is not yet available, says a spokeswoman.

The A330-200-based aircraft was delivered to the UK operator in December 2011 and made its first operational sortie last month.

While the aircraft has not built up many flight hours, the C check was required due to the time since its first take-off.

MAEL completed the C check at its base maintenance facility in Manchester.