Back to School

I'm back in the full learning mode and really enjoying it. For quite a few years MMS Aviation has sent staff and apprentice mechanics to training schools for Pratt & Whitney Canada's PT6A turboprop engine series. When Bob (MMS' Training Manager) asked if I'd like to take advantage of a PT6A maintenance course here at our facility, I said, "Yes".

Several boxes containing a PT6 engine, tools, and various training aids needed for the course were shipped to MMS last week. Classes began Monday morning and there are ten students. We have about four hours of classroom time and three and a half hours in the shop each day practicing what we learned in class. The course will be completed Saturday.

MMS contracted with StandardAero for the training. StandardAero is the world's largest independent small gas turbine engine and accessory repair and overhaul facility. The instructor has many years of experience conducting PT6A (and other engines) training courses in a number of countries.

For some context to all this, the airplane pictured above is a Beechcraft King Air 200 and is powered by PT6A engines. This one is operated by Gospel Carrier International and is maintained by MMS. In this picture the left engine is getting a compressor wash with de-mineralized water because dirty compressors degrade engine performance. (I knew that already, but have learned more about the process this week.)