Competence of WZL No. 2 S.A. to Service the Hercules C-130 Aircraft

Competences - built over the years and constantly expanding - enable the realization of works that directly support the fleet of C-130 aircraft operated by the Polish Air Force.

The capabilities achieved in the Company are made up of many factors, of which the key is personnel with appropriate qualifications, predisposition and experience.

Due to the increasing number of hours flown by individual aircraft during operation, each of the PDM operations may vary by scope, the substantial part of which is constant, as opposed to operations performed within the manufacturer’s specified cycles. This gives rise to the need for capacity building and provides opportunity to train the personnel in the scope of work which has not been conducted before.

The company has been maintaining the capacity to support the operation of the C-130 aircraft for years, through the implementation of successive service agreements and PDM agreements with the Polish Ministry of National Defense.

However, this does not limit the possibility of offering its services to foreign customers.

Participation in subsequent conferences, attended by C-130 users from all over the world, provides an opportunity to present capacities and proposals for cooperation in the field of servicing and maintenance of the aircraft which has been supporting the air forces of many countries for years.

At present, work is being carried out on three C-130 aircraft, two acquired in the „H” version and one of the existing fleet in the „E” version.

Work on H-version aircraft includes PDM support, along with upgrade of selected avionic systems, while on the E-version aircraft, PDM support is implemented.

Due to the fact that the C-130H aircraft were acquired directly from the USA, as part of the EDA - Excess Defense Articles program, the upgrade of the H version consists of supplementing the avionic systems with devices that allow aircraft to fly in the European airspace. The design works are carried out entirely by the specialists of Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 2 S.A., and some of the equipment has also been designed and manufactured by the Company.

The scope of work performed in hourly intervals as part of the PDM service includes, among others, replacement of torsion box structural elements, which was carried out on one of the aircraft being at WZL. It was a complex undertaking, requiring, among other things, obtaining equipment for its implementation and the training and certification of personnel under the supervision of the most experienced specialists.

The task has been accomplished and the aircraft is undergoing test flights, performed by authorized crew of the Polish Air Force. The aircraft will soon be handed over to its user, i.e. the 33rd Transport Aviation Base in Powidz.

The above projects are examples of the Company’s acquisition of new, significant and unique capabilities in the field of C-130, which can support the world’s users of this type of aircraft. Combined with previously developed competencies, this enables the company to present a comprehensive offer for the Polish Air Force and foreign users, both in the area of current aircraft operation and the adaptation of equipment to new requirements and aviation regulations.

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