Safety Mission
At Taquan Air, the safety and maintenance of our aircrafts are not just priorities—they are our top mission. As we initiate the important task of refurbishing our planes from the floats up, we adhere to stringent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and follow all manufacturer guidelines. Our commitment to excellence ensures that every aircraft is thoroughly inspected, and maintained to the highest standards.
A Robust Inspection Program
One of the ways that Taquan Air maintains the highest safety standards, is that we adhere to a strict, approved aircraft inspection program. This program, known as the AAIP (Approved Aircraft Inspection Program), has been carefully crafted by our highly qualified maintenance team. Once this is ready it is submitted to the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), who granted us their stamp of approval to utilize this program for inspections. This ensures that all our practices align with federal guidelines.
As a part of our inspection program, we conduct phase inspections on our aircrafts, with varying frequencies depending on the model. The Dehavilland Beaver, requires thorough inspections every 50 hours, while the Otter receives inspections every 100 hours. Each phase incorporates a mixture of heavy and light inspections. Our Director of Maintenance, Travis Bekkelund, explains “heavy inspections require detailed examinations, which may involve disassembly along with intricate checks, whereas light inspections are primarily visual, enabling us to monitor component conditions without disassembly.”
Phased Inspections Breakdown
Phase 1: At 50 hours of operation
Phase 2: At 100 hours of operation
Phase 3: At 150 hours of operation
Phase 4: At 200 hours of operation
Once the aircrafts accumulated flight hours hit 200 hours, an aircraft will have undergone a full inspection, encompassing all four phases of inspection. This means that every corner of the plane has been carefully assessed, guaranteeing the utmost safety for our passengers and crew.
The Maintenance Process
When a plane requires inspection or maintenance, we follow a meticulous process to ensure its integrity. To start off the process, the aircraft is first pulled out of the water and into our hangar. From there, our trained mechanics troubleshoot and resolve any problems. Depending on the issue, repairs can range from a quick five-minute fix to more complex challenges that may take up to four months to complete. Regardless of the time involved, we are dedicated to returning the aircraft to service in optimal condition.
Our mechanics play a crucial role in this process. Many of them work 14-day shifts of 10 hours each, and during the peak summer season, they operate a night shift to ensure that planes are always ready for flights the following day.
In Travis’s words, “Our commitment to maintenance and safety ensures that every aircraft we service is not only ready for flight but also adheres to the highest level of safety standards.”
At Taquan Air, we prioritize safety and maintenance above all else. With our rigorous inspection programs, skilled mechanics, and meticulous process, we can ensure that our fleet remains reliable and safe for all who choose to fly with us!
