On Thursday 14 July, technicians from FL 02 observed that an engine of one of the JAS planes needed to be changed on site in Sicily. After contact with Sweden and the ordering of a new engine, one day of preparation and hard work began.
On Friday evening at 20:15, the new engine arrived in a C-130 Hercules. As the engine arrived, frantic activity began almost immediately in order to ensure that the plane with the new engine was operational as soon as possible.
“It's is really impressive to see, and to almost be able to touch the energy of the staff around the plane during the engine change. Everybody works really hard and stays focused in the glow of work lights and headlights,” says the head of FL 02 Fredrik Bergman who, under supervision, participated in the work.
At midnight the job was completed and it was clear that it had taken about three hours, i.e. slightly longer than normal; the staff agreed somewhat jovially that it was partly due to the boss being involved.
After an engine change there is always a trial run of the engine to check that everything is as it should. At home in the flotilla this is done in special areas that are prepared for this very purpose. These include devices for the anchoring of the plane that allow it to be tested at full power.
“Down here it is slightly different. We have to go out on a special plate where there is an extremely thick wire fastened to the ground that we connect our equipment to. After connecting our equipment between the thick wire and the landing gear on the plane, we can use the full power of the plane with the certainty that it will remain on the plate without lifting,” says Urban Martinsson, aircraft technician at FL02.
It only took around 36 hours from the time the engine was ordered until it was replaced and tested.