Increased safety with maintenance check flights

EASA is now regulating MCFs as of this year: Operators of “complex aircraft”* will be required to train an MCF crew to carry out Level A maintenance check flights and to describe the procedures in a manual. These requirements have already been in place for helicopters since 2019 (learn more about MCFs for helicopters). In Switzerland, these regulations came into force on 1 February 2020.

This course is aimed at pilots of fixed-wing aeroplane who will be carrying out the maintenance check flights, that are to be mandatory in the future, as well as technicians and engineers taking part in check flights. The theories are explained by experienced RUAG factory flight test pilots and can be applied independent of aeroplane type.

You can now also travel comfortably with your own plane. 
Ask us for a non-binding quote. 

Course content:

• Course documentation (handbook)
• Objective and purpose of MCFs
• Legal aspects: EASA provisions concerning MCFs
• Organization and preparation:
  • CRM (Crew Resource Management)
  • Risk management
  • Work documents
  • Flight profiles
  • Ambient conditions
  • Briefing and debriefing
• Realization:
  • Procedure for all test points on the ground and during the flight
  • Handling of MCF-specific fault conditions
• Analysis/Evaluation after the flight

As initial training and as a supplement to the MCF theory course, the EASA prescribes a demonstration flight. This can be performed in the simulator. Therefore, take a seat in our Pilatus PC-7 Turbotrainer Simulator and sit in on a demonstration of the performance of an MCF using “Tricky Test Points” , delivered by one of our experienced factory/test pilots.

To supplement the theory course and the demonstration flight, RUAG offers a range of additional, customer-specific consultations and solutions regarding MCFs. We will happily prepare a quote for you for the following services (among others):

Maintenance Check Flight for helicopters

Today, maintenance check flights (MCFs) are not part of the everyday flying life of a helicopter crew. In 2019, the EASA issued new regulations for MCFs All helicopter operators – especially of so-called “complex helicopters” – are therefore obliged to train their MCF crew for these flights and to describe the corresponding procedures in a manual.

The course is primarily aimed at helicopter pilots who carry out MCFs after maintenance work or wish to do so in the future. However, it is also suitable for technicians (mechanics, avionics, etc.) who are confronted with check flights in their work. The course content is taught by an experienced RUAG factory or test pilot and is carried out independent of helicopter type.

Course content

• Course documentation (handbook)
• Objective and purpose of MCFs
• Legal aspects: EASA provisions concerning MCFs
• Organization of MCFs:
  • Crew composition
  • Definition of duties and responsibilities
  • Briefing/Debriefing requirements
  • Checklists
  • Decision-making
  • Development of a flight program
  • Risk assessment
  • CRM (Crew Resource Management)
• Techniques for the checking of the systems:
  • Engine power/handling
  • Helicopter power (Airframe)
  • Track and balance (main and rear rotor)
  • Hydraulics
  • Communication
  • Navigation
  • Stabilization systems
• Ambient conditions, helicopter handling, autorotation, VNE
• Handling of MCF-specific fault conditions
• Analysis/Evaluation after the flight

The practical implementation in the simulator is recommended as initial training but also as a supplement to the RUAG MCF theory training. RUAG offers this training on a full-flight level D EC135/635 or Super Puma AS332/532 simulator. In the detailed briefing and simulator flying, the craft of the MCF is learned on a customer-specific basis.

Course content

• Aim and purpose of MCFs
• Legal aspects: EASA regulations concerning MCFs
• Organization of MCFs:
  Crew composition, definition of tasks and responsibilities, briefing requirements, checklists, decision making, development of a flight program, risk assessment, CRM (Crew Resource Management) 
• Techniques for checking various systems
  Engine performance/checks, helicopter performance, track and balance (main and tail rotor), performance measurement, hydraulics, communications, navigation, stabilization systems, auto-rotation
• Environmental conditions, helicopter handling, auto-rotation, VNE
• Review of failure cases specific to these checks 
• Post-flight analysis

In addition to the theory course, we offer a range of other customer-specific consulting services and solutions. Contact us and we will be happy to make you an offer for the following services (among others):