Multi-line cut

AIRSpeed 3

Keith Borror (2nd from right) shows Capt. Tim Trainer a CH-53 transmission beam rotor head.

CH-53 product line AIRSpeeds along

Story, photos by Bill Bartkus
NAVAIR Depot North Island

NAS North Island, Calif. – AirSpeed is coming full circle at NAVAIR Depot North Island now that the Multi-line has embraced the concept with the Phased Maintenance Interval Depot (PMID) on the CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter.

During an AIRSpeed out brief, Multi-line Program Manager Fred Jolly pointed out an excessive turnaround time problem and his goal to correct it.

“Excessive turnaround time (TAT) on the CH-53 PMID exceeds customers’ expectations,” Jolly said. “The average TAT for the last four aircraft was 300 days, and warfighters expect to have their aircraft back to them in 220 days.” Jolly needed to correct this longevity problem.

His goal is to reduce TAT on the Sea Stallion production line by 40 percent or 120 days, and to relieve the artisan of non-value added tasks and time.

Jolly outlined his measurable success target goal of a 37 percent reduction in production phase cycle time. “The next aircraft that we induct should see a reduced cycle time of at least 20 days or 7 percent. This reduction in TAT will increase for every aircraft that rolls through the line,” he reiterated.

The Multi-line team has prioritized their objectives. The team has identified the physical layout for the CH-53 PMID production line and sorted toolboxes, equipment, parts, technical data and removed all unnecessary items. As with all other AIRSpeed product lines, colored tape on the floor indicates a place for everything and everything in its place. There are also storage racks for equipment and a special spot for technical manuals. The program has 95 percent of the tools and technical publications that it needs.

“We have created a visual workplace for the production artisan,” said Jolly. “We have also eliminated waste in each cell by instituting Point Of use philosophy for Pre-Expended Bins, hazardous material and commodities, tooling and technical publications.” By doing this, the CH-53 team has created a reduction in artisans’ walking and waiting time, thus allowing them more time to spend working on the aircraft.

Artisans will be using specially designed Point Of Use toolboxes containing only those tools they need for the particular aircraft. Their old rollaway toolboxes will be turned in and disposed of according to regulations.

The CH-53 AIRSpeed line is on target and now a cleaner and safer working environment.

With all of these changes, Jolly anticipates a 13 percent cycle time reduction in each cell.