By NAVRIIP Communications Action Team

NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville recently applied the Naval Aviation Readiness Integrated Improvement Program (NAVRIIP) process to isolate specific issues and solutions to improve the reliability of for the T-56 engine.

Following the NAVRIIP methodology, NAVAIR Jacksonville intermediate level depot activities revealed processing, manpower, capability and training issues that contributed to the low reliability of the reduction gearbox assembly (RGA) of the T-56 engine. In the past, maintainers identified quick fixes or potential fixes for near-term and long-term reliability improvements.

“It was not until the NAVRIIP process was introduced to the T-56 engine maintainers that a structured and disciplined approach was used to identify and implement the most effective solutions,” said Martha Irene, Fleet support team engineer at the depot.

NAVRIIP is the comprehensive program designed to make fundamental process changes to the way the Navy provides manpower, equipment and training to stateside Naval Aviation commands between deployments. NAVRIIP’s focus is to meet the Fleet’s objectives of ‘aircraft ready for training and operations’ by development and implementation of solutions to cost-wise readiness barriers.

The barrier removal team (BRT) began with the identification of a readiness degrader and the lowest reliability module developing from the T56 engine.

The team found the RGA to be the module with the lowest reliability. Data obtained from Fleet databases, such as aircraft engine management system decision support system (AEMS DSS) and logistics management decision support system (LMDSS), revealed a high number of RGA rejections with a very low time since repair (TSR). A high number of RGAs were being rejected with less than 500 hours TSR.

By including fleet members on the BRT, maintainers were able to completely understand the problem by addressing different factors such as manpower, material, processes and training. The BRT used cause-and-effect diagrams to address all factors contributing to low RGA reliability.

The team collaborated the efforts and expertise of the T-56 engine program managers, Fleet support team and Fleet members working on the engine to allow for discussion of possible solutions. The team approached the readiness degraders and solved the problem by eliminating the barrier completely. The BRT also addressed interim solutions and solutions which had not been previously considered.

“The NAVRIIP process helped to accelerate implementation of improved cleaning procedures for the RGA, and assisted with improving the procedures for oil draining and magnetic plug inspection,” Irene said. “The team also developed a proposal to update the NATOPS (Naval Air Training and Operation Procedures Standardization) which will avoid future mission aborts.”

“Overall, the use of the NAVRIIP BRT allowed us to follow a disciplined and structured approach to solving a readiness issue. It also incorporated the Fleet as active participants in the process and facilitated their acceptance of some of the change and improvements introduced,” Irene added.

For more information on NAVRIIP, visit http://www.airpac.navy.mil/navriip/ or call NAVAIR Public Affairs at 301-757-1487.