The Future of Engineers Aviation During Pandemic
The aviation industry was the sector most affected during Covid 19. This sector is primarily for airlines. However, the aviation industry does not only consist of airlines but many other sectors. One of them that has potential is MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul).
Customer Support and Sales Manager of Power Services at PT GMF AeroAsia, Hendra Hermawan, said the MRO Industry is any action that helps keep or restore an aircraft items safe and reliable for operation. There are at least three main processes of maintenance. The first process is maintenance based on a predetermined usage time (hard time). The second is based on the condition of the aircraft during an inspection. Meanwhile, the third process is condition monitoring that predicts when damage will occur.
The rapid growth of the aviation industry in Indonesia opens up considerable business opportunities in the MRO industry. Apart from ensuring safety in flights, MRO is very important because it can reduce downtime, maximize assets, enhance customer satisfaction, and optimize cost budget.
“Aircraft maintenance is an absolute thing that must be done regularly, this is why MRO has the potential to continue to grow and generate profits,” said Hendra when he was a speaker at the Engineers Talk organized by the SGU Master of Mechanical Engineering.
There are at least four segments of the MRO Business:
- Line Maintenance
Light maintenance was carried out at the station where the plane stopped. This treatment is usually done at night. Maintenance is carried out every 100-150 hours of flight.
- Airframe Heavy Maintenance and Modification
Heavier maintenance is usually done in the hangar. Usually done after 4-5 years after the operation.
- Engine Overhaul
Procedure for disassembling the machine for later inspection and repair. Usually every 12-18 months or every 5,000 flight hours.
- MRO components
This check is usually done every 3 months or 500-600 flight hours.
Hendra said, there are three types of MRO providers, namely airlines, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) services, and independent services. Provider airlines, for example, GMF Aero Asia, were previously part of Garuda Indonesia, but are now developing into subsidiaries.
OEM providers, for example, such as Airbus and PT DI in Indonesia. However, there is also an independent service where since the beginning, they have established a company specifically for MRO.
The potential for the MRO industry must be supported by adequate engineers. Engineers also need to be equipped with the latest knowledge of MRO technology. One way to upgrade this knowledge is by studying at the SGU Master of Mechanical Engineering Study Program.
MRO Industry During Pandemic
Pandemic Covid 19 has a very strong impact on all industries including MRO. This is because human mobility is limited, including those using planes.
“Passenger flights at the start of the Pandemic dropped dramatically. We at the MRO also fell by 80-90 percent, “he said.
Even so, there are still opportunities in the cargo business. The cargo business grew rapidly during the pandemic and used many airlines. The planes used for the cargo business also need maintenance.
“In 2020 we have survived by carrying out efficiency in all cost and maintenance components for both airlines and cargo,” he said.
Tentang SGU
SWISS GERMAN UNIVERSITY (SGU) is an international university in Indonesia, was established in 2000 as a joint effort between Indonesia, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. We are the pioneer in offering international curricula in Indonesia.
Qualified students can graduate with a Double Degree from Indonesia and Germany, which SGU provides in cooperation with partner universities; surely a valuable tool for your future careers. Ever since its establishment, SGU has been dedicated to delivering quality education in line with international standards and aims to develop skilled professionals who meet the demands of the industry. To achieve its objectives, SGU offers quality-oriented learning through 12 Bachelor’s Degree Programs and 4 Master’s Degree Programs ranging from Engineering, Information Technology, and Business to Life Sciences and Social Sciences. Furthermore, with small class sizes, and with English as the medium of instruction, you can look forward to pursuing your tertiary education and degree with full confidence.
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