European emergency provider Avincis has completed its first scheduled in-house Cessna Citation Latitude base maintenance event. The aircraft, operated by Avincis for Norwegian air ambulance service Luftambulansetjenesten, underwent an 800-hour overhaul, starting on Monday December 9, and returned to operation just nine days later, five days ahead of the scheduled completion date.

This achievement highlights the efforts of its dedicated team, from pre-overhaul preparations to meticulous work during the inspection. The collaboration between Avincis’ Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) and Part 145 departments played a crucial role in challenging the previous belief that outsourcing maintenance for its Citation Latitude jets was more cost-effective. Through careful analysis of costs and resource requirements, the team discovered that bringing maintenance in-house would yield significant savings over the coming years while enhancing the skills of its technicians.

Chris Brox, base maintenance manager for Norway, shares: “It was a first for all of us, and needless to say, tension and excitement were high. Completing an 800-hour inspection as our inaugural in-house task was a rewarding experience. Everyone worked together seamlessly to make it happen.”

The maintenance process required meticulous planning to ensure that all necessary tools and training were in place, as well as compliance with administrative tasks mandated by the Swedish civil aviation authority (CAA). Johan Lindberg, Part 145 accountable and maintenance manager, remarks: “Bringing in the base maintenance of our Cessna Citation Latitudes was not a difficult task, thanks to our competent and dedicated staff. The commitment of the Norwegian technical management and the expertise of our technicians made this a smooth process that went 100 per cent according to plan.”

Looking ahead, the next scheduled overhaul for Avincis’ Cessna Citation Latitude jets is anticipated for early March, which will involve a more extensive engine replacement and an expected downtime of around four weeks. The entire team is motivated and prepared for this upcoming challenge.

This successful overhaul not only demonstrates the incredible capabilities and commitment of its staff but also serves as a prime example of what can be achieved when it challenges assumptions and empowers its skilled workforce.