RUAG completes annual inspection and upgrades on three Italian Army Dornier 228 aircraft

Italian Army Dornier 228 aircraft.

RUAG MRO International has fulfilled the annual inspection on three Dornier 228 aircraft with special mission configuration belonging to the Esercito Italiano (Italian Army). The inspections were carried out at the RUAG facilities at Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. In addition to the heavy maintenance check, the Italian Army opted to upgrade the aircraft with ADS-B Out avionics and mini-tablet holders.

The three heavy maintenance inspections were planned consecutively to ensure continuous aircraft availability for missions out of the Italian Army’s operating base at Viterbo, Italy. Each event was designed to optimize downtimes by including additional installations and avionics options.

Prioritizing compliance with upcoming EASA ADS-B Out/EHS mandates for 2020, the Italian Army planned the avionics modification to coincide with each Dornier 228’s annual inspection. They also chose to combine the events with a retrofit of the VHF radios to 8.33 kHz spacing. “Preventing potential operating limitations resulting from the upcoming regulations is a crucial issue for the Italian Army,” states Michael Franz, Director Customer Support Dornier 228, RUAG MRO International. “With this in mind, they entrusted our engineering specialists with the complete ADS-B system integration for all three of their Dornier 228 aircraft.”

RUAG’s engineering team also designed and integrated mini-tablet holders for the pilot and co-pilot controls. Michael Franz confirms, “Improving safety through heightened situational awareness and reduced pilot workload is a priority for the Italian Army. The mini-tablet holders were specifically developed to respond to these criteria.”

“The Italian Army relies on our team for solutions that contribute to continued aircraft availability and the success of their daily missions,” states Volker Wallrodt, Senior Vice President Business Jets, Dornier 228 & Military, RUAG MRO International. “We strive to provide robust and sustainable support in our role as an OEM and, especially, as the Italian Army’s primary provider for maintenance, repair and overhaul services.” The Italian Army operates their three Dornier 228 classic aircraft for paratrooper training, passenger and material transport, and pilot training. RUAG meets their MRO requirements within the framework of a comprehensive maintenance contract, in place since 2003. The agreement ensures continuous aircraft availability according to mission and operational schedules.

Source, Images: RUAG MRO International