Phase docks go paperless, improve process

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Owsianka
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Throughout the United States Air Force, Airmen continuously look for ways to improve daily processes to increase productivity.

One unit at Yokota Air Base has recently showcased their ability to be innovative Airmen. The 374th Maintenance Squadron phase dock flight has improved their isochronal inspection process by going paperless.

Every 540 days a C-130 Hercules enters the phase docks for an inspection. During the 14-day process, Airmen inspect the aircraft and fix approximately 1,000 discrepancies.

"As we implemented the new paperless process, it has saved approximately 600 man-hours per inspection," said Master Sgt. Aaron Ross, 374 MXS isochronal inspection dock chief. "This frees up more time for us to focus on the aircraft to provide the best possible product (aircraft) to the flight line."

Prior to going paperless, the phase docks had to input information throughout 400 to 500 pages of forms that covers what has been fixed and needs to be completed. The Airmen's time also limited while waiting in line to gain access to the aircraft forms to look for discrepancies.

By having the new paperless process, the flight is able to have multiple users on different computers and tablets to spend less time waiting to look through binders.

"We have 23 computers and tablets that are operational," Ross said. "By having these items, it allows technicians to update their information immediately, while also accessing our maintenance database to see all of the open discrepancies."

When an aircraft is inspected, it goes through a 14-day inspection process that is split into four phases.

Throughout the phases, the Airmen use work cards, which are lists of inspection procedures to follow and check to ensure everything is done correctly and safely.

First, the crew goes through a 'look phase' during the initial part of the inspection. During this time, technicians will take panels off to look through the entire aircraft and take note of found discrepancies.

The second phase is the 'fix phase' where the technicians repair the discrepancies.
In the third phase, the qualified phase dock members inspect the completed work and provide extra maintenance work where necessary.

Finally, members of a quality assurance team perform a final inspection of the aircraft to ensure everything is correct.

Once the four phases are completed, the phase dock crew reattaches the panels to the aircraft, conduct the final engine runs and complete any final checks.

From there, the aircraft returns to taking off from the flight line and soar into the air.

"It feels good every time I see the aircraft flying because we know that we had something to do with it," said Airman 1st Class Trent Holleman, 374 MXS crew chief. "They are old planes that still fly as though they are brand new because of the maintenance provided for them."