An Aircraft Stripped Bare in Hangar 14

So I went on a guided tour and saw an aircraft stripped bare, completely naked, as if it was on an the operating table – a Triple 7 laid out on the slab in Hangar 14. The beast was undergoing a full body check, and I saw some similarities with human anatomy. Here’s why:

On the operating table

Did you know that aircraft are subjected to A-, B-, and C-checks? The A- and C-checks – the major overhauls – are carried out in the hangars. An A-check is completed within 24 hours, whereas a C-check takes around a week. The stripped Boeing 777 I saw in the hangar, together with my team, was undergoing the biggest overhaul: a C-check. This is carried out once every two years. Within a week, the entire aircraft is taken apart and all components – literally every last screw, wire and switch – is inspected. Which is why a C-check involves around 175 people working in shifts.

A plane’s brains

The thing that struck me most were the millions of wires that run through the aircraft. It was as if I could see the plane’s brains. The number of cables and wires in the back of the cockpit is simply unbelievable!

Martin Garrix eat your heart out

The cockpit was a great place to start, especially for a snap-happy tourist with his camera at the ready. And of course I had to sit in the pilot’s seat, which was so cool! All those buttons, levers, lights and screens – you name it, the cockpit has it. If you think DJs have a lot of knobs to twiddle, think again, because pilots are in a league of their own!

Big belly

Our tour also took us inside the belly of the aircraft, where the baggage is stowed. Here too there are all kinds of aircraft nerves and vertebrae running through to the plane’s brains. I couldn’t believe how much cargo space there was! Why on earth does Ryanair make such a fuss about those extra kilos? Plenty of space!

The rear end…how appropriate

We then went to the rear of the aircraft, where all the water and waste tanks are located.  A single waste tank contains about 310 litres, and there were three here, plus three 450-litre water tanks. The amount of water carried on board depends on the distance to be flown and the number of passengers. Naturally, more water is needed on a 13-hour flight with 420 people on board – for flushing toilets, washing hands and brewing coffee – than on a seven-hour flight carrying 200 people. Based on experience, the amount of water required can be precisely estimated, so that no excess is carried unnecessarily, which would result in increased fuel consumption, higher costs and more environmental impact. Yes, KLM takes all of these things into account.

Fly away

And then there were the wings, of course. Being such a novice, I had no idea that the fuel is actually carried IN the wings. And it really was incredible to see those engines up close and personal. They are constantly monitored from the moment they start up to the moment they’re shut down. This is done by an automated system that is connected with the aircraft’s control systems. To keep the engines in peak condition, maintenance is carried out during the regular A- and C-checks.

What an awesome experience was there in that hangar. It made me realize that a plane is as complicated as a human being.

Posted by:   Julievanhout  | 
Join the conversation Show comments

kiwoong

nice to know! thanks, KLM!

Rickb

Who knew? Very cool all that effort to keep me flying!

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jim orr

No wonder KLM has the reputation of being a safe airline!

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Nell

Can I visit hangar 14?

Roxa

In the beginning of the article you are talking about the B check. This check does not exist for KLM airplanes.

In the article you described that Ryanair has a lot of space in the belly of an aircraft. There is a difference between the 777 and the 737 (take a look at hangar 10). And for Ryanair there is space, but extra kilo’s means also extra fuel.

Bob Kammeijer

It’s probably a cleaner space than an operating room.

Stevie Chan

Isn’t this a D Check ?

Michele

It would be my deeam to visit it and also to be in a cockpit during a flight . Especially landing and taking off. I guess it will just stay a dream

Frans

In the time I worked at the IT departement of KLM’s maintenance departement, whenever a plane was in the hangar I dropped by daily to take a look.

The best for me was when I installed the mewedt software updates in the planes computer. Great memories

Muhd Azlan B Abdullah

I am longing to fly on KLM

Bas

‘Why on earth does Ryanair make such a fuss about those extra kilos?’

Why do you have to pay for luggage on European KLM flights if KLM is different from Ryanair?

Sander

Three watertanks 450 liters each. And than three waste watertanks of only 310 liters each. It seems there is a risk of overflow. I guess I am overlooking something…

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