Comfort and enjoyment to passengers on flights of up - Cathay Pacific

Linda Kendig, Manager
– IMM Hong Kong,
Boeing (Asia)
What is the main part of
your job?
The Boeing Integrated Materials
Management (IMM) programme
is a partnership between CX <strong>and</strong>
the Boeing Company.
Our daily focus is <strong>to</strong> provide
support on expendable/consumable
aircraft parts <strong>to</strong> ensure the
scheduled maintenance programmes
for CX have sufficient
parts available in s<strong>to</strong>ck when that
maintenance is required.
Our team provides the inven<strong>to</strong>ry
management, forecasting
projections <strong>and</strong> bin replenishment
of the parts ordering process.
To ensure the integrity of our
parts while they are s<strong>to</strong>red in
the s<strong>to</strong>ckroom bin, we perform
r<strong>and</strong>om audits which identify any
unserviceable, shelf life expired
or damaged parts that may have
found their way back in <strong>to</strong> the
s<strong>to</strong>ckroom.
We work closely with a team
of people within CX who assist
IMM with data management <strong>and</strong>
the loading of that data in<strong>to</strong> the
Ultramain system.
What is the advantage of
working out of Cathay City?
When you have an integrated
system, being at the cus<strong>to</strong>mers’
site is imperative in getting <strong>to</strong>
know exactly what the cus<strong>to</strong>mer
wants <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>ing their
needs.
We attend daily meetings with
maintenance <strong>and</strong> AOG Desk support
<strong>and</strong> this allows us <strong>to</strong> be as
close <strong>to</strong> the cus<strong>to</strong>mer as possible.
It helps us learn how we can
better support each other during
upcoming fleet retirements or
new aircraft being brought in<strong>to</strong>
service.
What do you like best about
your job?
After being here four years, I am
still meeting new people <strong>and</strong> facing
new challenges.
It encourages me <strong>to</strong> be able <strong>to</strong>
see achievements – for instance
the entry in<strong>to</strong> service of a new
aircraft such as the 747-800.
It is also great <strong>to</strong> know my
team has taken part in getting
grounded aircraft back in<strong>to</strong> service
again.
Sign of the times
Three Boeing 747-400s being retired from the fleet in September <strong>and</strong>
Oc<strong>to</strong>ber will go <strong>to</strong> the small Kemble facility in the UK. Captain Colin
Parker – a keen aviation pho<strong>to</strong>grapher – recently got the chance
<strong>to</strong> capture some striking images at the much bigger “bone yard” at
Vic<strong>to</strong>rville in California…
I recently had the memorable experience
of driving <strong>to</strong> the Southern
California Logistics Airport in Vic<strong>to</strong>rville.
This is one of the main aircraft
s<strong>to</strong>rage facilities in the United
States <strong>and</strong> along with others such
as Mojave, Marana <strong>and</strong> Tuscon
– all in dry desert locations – it acts
as a place where airlines <strong>and</strong> leasing
companies can s<strong>to</strong>re aircraft
for either the short or long term.
Some airlines temporarily s<strong>to</strong>re
aircraft when dem<strong>and</strong> is down,
while other aircraft are s<strong>to</strong>red until
new owners can be found.
Some, sadly, never fly again,
<strong>and</strong> the scrapping area at Vic<strong>to</strong>rville
always has a queue of planes
awaiting their final fate.
Located about three hours’ drive
from Los Angeles, Vic<strong>to</strong>rville is not
a public airport <strong>and</strong>, unfortunately,
there are no public <strong>to</strong>urs. However,
a drive around the perimeter fence
allows a good view of most of the
aircraft s<strong>to</strong>red here – though a
four-wheel drive is recommended.
I also rented a Cessna light aircraft
from nearby Apple Valley airport
<strong>and</strong> flew right over Vic<strong>to</strong>rville, taking
pho<strong>to</strong>s as I went (with the help of an
instruc<strong>to</strong>r pilot, of course!).
The airport allows general aviation
traffic <strong>and</strong> once we l<strong>and</strong>ed I
managed <strong>to</strong> get more pho<strong>to</strong>s of
aircraft in the short-term s<strong>to</strong>rage
area including a visit <strong>to</strong> B-HOO,
one of our 747-400s that was sent
for scrapping earlier this year.
It is sad but nonetheless interesting
<strong>to</strong> see around 200 airliners
– both older <strong>and</strong> more modern
models – being s<strong>to</strong>red, though it
can feel eerie being close <strong>to</strong> so
many aircraft without hearing the
sounds you usually associate with
a busy airport.
All you can hear is the wind <strong>and</strong>
the gentle clacking sound of engine
fan blades spinning in the breeze,
occasionally interrupted by the odd
tumbleweed passing by.
A Vic<strong>to</strong>rville visit is a must for
any enthusiast who happens <strong>to</strong> be
in the Los Angeles area <strong>and</strong> has a
day <strong>to</strong> spare.
BONEYARD BLUES: Colin’s striking but sad images taken as he flew over Vic<strong>to</strong>rville. Top: Several CX aircraft have been through the facility over the years.