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- Mar 29, 2004
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This week, the Maintenance operations control group began the task of renumbering aircraft. The renumbering, which is taking place on US Airways metal, is primarily for technology’s sake, because current technology can’t manage duplicates and some numeric duplicates exist between US and AWA aircraft.
The first to be renumbered was a Boeing 737-400, formerly N781AU. As of Tuesday morning, the same aircraft was registered as N456UW.
Strategic Planning Manager Ed Davis said, "The first renumbering visit exceeded expectations, which is a reflection of the hard work of many individuals from multiple departments."
Ed continued, "It sounds like it should be a simple process to stick a new number on an airplane, but it’s actually very involved." Steps include:
• New numbers were chosen and verified as available, then approved by senior staff.
• The new numbers were processed with the Oklahoma City FAA office and the various aircraft owners.
• The maintenance computer systems required testing to ensure the new numbers would be accepted and that the aircraft history would transfer.
• Flight-related systems were tested to ensure no operational disruption.
• Engineering paperwork was written, material ordered, the aircraft scheduled, and the workload planned.
• An extensive communication network was established to notify and communicate the planned and actual accomplishment for each aircraft including coordination with the FAA so that the Ops Spec is updated on the actual day of accomplishment.
Next in line are the remainder of the 737-400s, followed by the –300s. According to the schedule, Maintenance expects to complete the –300s and –400s by early July, with other fleets to follow. Renumbering is planned to be complete by the end of January 2007.
The number, which is registered with the FAA, indicates the country of registration (“N†for the U.S.), the aircraft number (“456â€, which is where some duplicates exist), and the airline’s code, (“UWâ€).
The first to be renumbered was a Boeing 737-400, formerly N781AU. As of Tuesday morning, the same aircraft was registered as N456UW.
Strategic Planning Manager Ed Davis said, "The first renumbering visit exceeded expectations, which is a reflection of the hard work of many individuals from multiple departments."
Ed continued, "It sounds like it should be a simple process to stick a new number on an airplane, but it’s actually very involved." Steps include:
• New numbers were chosen and verified as available, then approved by senior staff.
• The new numbers were processed with the Oklahoma City FAA office and the various aircraft owners.
• The maintenance computer systems required testing to ensure the new numbers would be accepted and that the aircraft history would transfer.
• Flight-related systems were tested to ensure no operational disruption.
• Engineering paperwork was written, material ordered, the aircraft scheduled, and the workload planned.
• An extensive communication network was established to notify and communicate the planned and actual accomplishment for each aircraft including coordination with the FAA so that the Ops Spec is updated on the actual day of accomplishment.
Next in line are the remainder of the 737-400s, followed by the –300s. According to the schedule, Maintenance expects to complete the –300s and –400s by early July, with other fleets to follow. Renumbering is planned to be complete by the end of January 2007.
The number, which is registered with the FAA, indicates the country of registration (“N†for the U.S.), the aircraft number (“456â€, which is where some duplicates exist), and the airline’s code, (“UWâ€).
