This week at Vision: 4/16-4/23

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:26:18 GMT

Weekly Update: April 16–23, 2025

This week at Vision Aviation Services was as busy and varied as ever. From high-end business jets to light homebuilt aircraft, our team tackled everything from routine inspections to complex component swaps—all while refining our management offering for even better client transparency and choice.

Major Maintenance Highlights

Falcon 900 Hydraulic Pump Replacement
A customer called and requested maintenance support to change a high-timed engine driven hydraulic pump. Our mechanics removed the old unit, installed a freshly overhauled replacement, and ran it through a full operational test before returning the jet to service.
737 Main Landing Gear Door Inspection
Upon post-flight inspection, a bolt was found missing from the center main gear door on a 737. Our team documented the damage: vibration had gouged the adjacent sheet-metal under the wing, but fortunately no structural compromises affecting airworthiness were discovered. The door was removed for continued operations until a replacement door could be sourced and installed at a later date.
A320 Air Conditioning Pack Deferral
An Airbus A320 reported only hot air coming from the vents. We deferred the suspect pack per MEL procedures and helped keep the aircraft on schedule, keeping passengers happy and cool.

Inspections & Special Projects

RV-4 Condition Inspection
Began a full condition inspection on a customer’s experimental RV-4.
Bird-Strike Damage Assessments
Several bird-strike calls this week had us doing the dirty work of scraping expired birds off aircraft. All inspections cleared the aircraft for continued flight; no major damage being found we were able to get them cleaned up and back on schedule.
717 Brake-Ride Move
Ground Ops needed an extra hand relocating a 717 on the ramp. Our on-call mechanic was eager to lend a hand by brake riding for them.

Team & Training

Our newest on-call mechanic jumped right in—splitting his week between paid on-the-job training with veteran dual-rated mechanics and a full day of annual recurrent courses. He’s already earning rave reviews for positive attitude and quick troubleshooting skills.

Aircraft Management Services – Next Level

Fine-tuned for efficiency and clarity, our management offerings now span three dispatch-ready tiers—Basic, Standard, and Full Concierge, all laid out in one easy-read rate sheet. Best of all, our in-house AOG support squad and dual-rated mechanic-pilots …and, should any situation exceed our in-house AOG capabilities, we’ll engage trusted external partners to minimize downtime and keep you flying.

Looking Ahead: Graham, Texas Retrieval

Our Graham, TX mission is taking shape. Two airframes await:

Baron 55 : Likely a new fuel pump plus minor squawks—airworthy and flyable back to Greer once annual inspection is signed off.
Piper Navajo Chieftain : In “out-of-annual” limbo. Plans call for disassembly on-site, trucking wings and fuselage sections to the upstate, then reassembly and full inspection in our hangar.

Project Cessna Resurrection

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 19:42:30 GMT

Reassembling a Classic: 1963 Cessna C-172D

At the beginning of this month, we began work on reassembling a 1963 Cessna C-172D. The owner had recently completed an interior refurbishment with V1 Aircraft Services at KGYH in Greenville, SC. While there, he asked if they could recommend someone to reassemble the aircraft—and Vision Aviation Services was his first recommendation.

After coming to terms with the owner, we immediately got to work on what would become a challenging but exciting project.

This aircraft has a fascinating history. It originally belonged to the current owner's grandfather, who sold it prior to his passing. Years later, the grandson tracked it down, bought it back, and began restoring it. Unfortunately, the project became more of a side task for various mechanics over the years, with little real progress toward making it airworthy. After sitting untouched for 15 years, it’s now in our hands—and we’re honored to bring this bird back to life.

One of the first major steps was reattaching the wings, a critical phase involving the reinstallation of wiring and tubing. Although we initially compiled a list of replacement parts, it quickly became clear that additional hardware would be needed. Corrosion and missing pieces—common with an aircraft that’s changed hands and locations so often—have added to the complexity.

Despite the challenges, this is the kind of project we love: hands-on, meaningful, and full of character. It's rewarding for us and, more importantly, it’s going to be incredibly meaningful for the owner once the aircraft is fully restored and flying again.

Stay tuned for further updates as we continue this journey!

Vision Aviation in Action | Maintenance & More