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IMPulse Volume 4, Issue 3 - Summer 2013 - IMP Group

IMPulse Volume 4, Issue 3 - Summer 2013 - IMP Group

IMPulse Volume 4, Issue 3 - Summer 2013 - IMP Group

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CP140 Aurora Structural LifeExtension ProgramDuring the course of the Life ExtensionProgram on the CP140, 10aircraft will undergo an extensiveretrofit to the wing and tail areas ofthe Canadian Forces Aurora Fleet.The requirement for the replacementprogram was a direct result of theFull Scale Fatigue Test which identifiedsignificant fatigue cracking inspecific areas of the CP140 structure.Replacement of the wings andhorizontal stabilizer is being carriedout at a purpose built hangar at <strong>IMP</strong>Aerospace’s Stanfield InternationalAirport facilities. During the retrofitof the tail section for the new horizontalstabilizer, it was determinedthat the main attachment rings atFlight Station (FS) 1117 also requiredreplacement. This requirement hasnow been incorporated into the programfor the entire fleet. Additionalcomponent repair/replacement isdriven by conditional inspections.Replacement of the horizontal stabilizerand the FS 1117 main attachmentrings, which attach the empennage(tail section) to the aircraftfuselage, requires the removal anddismantling of the entire tail sectionof the aircraft. State of the art laseralignment equipment is used to ensurealignment and symmetry of thestructure. This ensures the structureis reattached to the aircraft fuselagein accordance with the requirementsand the close tolerances of thetechnical data package. An overheadcrane is used to do the heavy liftingand a crew of highly skilled technicianscarries out the structure teardownand rebuild.Installation procedureshave beenrefined as a result of lessons learnedfrom the prototype and proof fitaircraft. These improvements are asa result of close collaboration of theASLEP team including Engineering,Tooling, Production Supervisionand Shop Floor Technicians.Replacement of these componentswith enhanced design and improvedcorrosion resistant materials shouldreduce maintenance costs while givingthe Canadian Forces additionalflight hours of service life for theAurora extending the life of the fleetto 2030 and beyond.<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2013</strong> I M P u l s e <strong>Volume</strong> 4, <strong>Issue</strong> 311

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