NU SEDS students take a two days field trip to the Air Astana hangar
On February 24 and 28, Students of the Mechanical and aerospace engineering department of SEDS visited the Air Astana hangar at Astana Airport to observe heavy aircraft maintenance.
Professor Essam Shehab, Head of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) department, facilitated the hangar visit for 32 students over two days in February. He has sustained his collaboration with the company over the past 4 years. He accompanied the students alongside Professor Basman Elhadidi, MAE Faculty, and Professor Vladimir Golubev from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida. Prof. Golubev is the first Fulbright scholar at NU.
During this field trip, Air Astana Senior Maintenance Manager explained the different types of aircraft maintenance, from line or light maintenance to heavy care (C and D-checks). Line maintenance is performed every 400-600 flight hours, including any minor maintenance tasks, pre-flight and daily checks. C-check takes place every 18-24 months and can last up to 3 weeks. During the C-check, most components are inspected, and D-check is carried out every 12 years and involves dismantling and assembling the whole aircraft.
The students had the opportunity to sit in a captain pilot seat of Airbus aircraft, and the different cockpit controls were explained. The students were enquiring about the requirements for job opportunities in the airline industry.
Professor Shehab agreed with Air Astana to arrange another visit for our students in November 2023 during aircraft D-check maintenance.
