An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September / October 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 8 | BY CPL KIERAN ROCHE. CREW LEADER C.T.S.O. NO 4 SUPPORT WING, AIR CORPS TRAINING ATTENDEES: F/SGT DECLAN RYAN, SGT DARRAGH SKELLY, SGT DARREN ROGERS, CPL KIERAN ROCHE C295 Technical Services Training TECHNICAL TRAINING COMPLETED BY AIR CORPS PERSONNEL BY AIRBUS MILITARY TO SUPPORT THE ARRIVAL OF 2 NEW MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT 2023 marks a pivotal year for the Irish Air Corps with the de- livery of two new Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). At the time of writing Airbus Military have delivered the first of two C295 MPA with the second to follow in the coming weeks. The Original two CASA CN235 MPA were delivered in 1994 and since then have proven to be a reliable and efficient platform to patrol the Irish Economic Zone. 101 Squadron have operated these aircraft in multiple roles but their primary tasking has been maritime patrol. Over the near 30 years in opera- tion C252 and C253 have now logged over 21,000 and 23,000 flying hours respectively. However time and technology moves on and it becomes more and more difficult to source parts and support for ageing airframes and equipment. In 2009 the original constructor of the aircraft Con- strucciones Aeronáuticas SA or CASA as we know it was absorbed into Airbus Military who are now the manufacturer of the replacement MPA. The Replacement MPA chosen was the Airbus Military C295, a direct descendant of the CASA CN235. These aircraft repre- sent the cutting edge of technology in regards to airframe and powerplant. However, the biggest leap in technological terms is reserved for the avionics and sensor suite installed. These aircraft are without doubt the most complex aircraft ever operated by the Irish Air Corps or any aircraft operator in Ireland; civilian or military. To prepare for the arrival and operation of the C295 a lot of preparation and training needed to be completed. Along with training for Pilots, Aircrew, Airframe & Engine Technicians, a course was needed for the personnel of Technical Services No 4 Support Wing. "Technical Services" I hear you say….."What's That?" C.T.S.O. (Central Technical Services Office) is a small office within the Air Corps which provides Continuing Airworthiness Management for the fleet of fixed wing aircraft. "Airworthi- ness" refers to the condition of an aircraft that allows it to safely operate in the sky. "Continuing Airworthiness" refers to the on-going efforts to maintain and ensure that an aircraft remains safe throughout its operational life. Continuing Airworthiness is provided by a series of checks, inspections and maintenance procedures that are completed on a pre-defined schedule, or once off interventions to ensure the aircraft remains in a safe and reliable condition. This requires continuous monitoring of the manufacturer's Maintenance planning recommendations, Service Bulletins, Airworthiness Directives etc. Our office forms the backbone of this strategy and helps to combine all of this information and present it for use by the hands-on engineers and technicians. The Training was completed over a three week period in the Airbus Military international Training Centre (ITC) in Seville, Spain. The facility is a purpose built training centre which caters for all disciplines and includes multiple simulators and a modern classroom environment. Our course, titled Mainte- nance Management Programme, had the following elements: C295 Tail Number 284 outside its new home at Casement Aerodrome, Hanger #5 C295 Tail Number 284 Starting up on the Apron at Casement Aerodrome 284 Taxiing at Casement Aerodrome

• Cover