Profiles: Southwest Airframe & Tank

Southwest Airframe & Tank Services, Inc. (SWAT) has proudly served the aviation community for more than 19 years. SWAT specializes in onsite airframe structural repairs, maintenance, inspection and repairs of aircraft fuel systems. Through years of experience we have developed techniques and methods for repairs, troubleshooting and preventative maintenance.

Our services are required on a variety of different aircraft and we are equipped to handle most types of repairs, including heavy onsite structural. The majority of our maintenance is done on corporate aircraft. We have repaired nearly 5,000 corporate aircraft since becoming an FAA Certified Repair Station in 1993. We are not limited to any specific type, but through the years have developed a specialization in this particular sector of the industry.

Fuel systems maintenance is rarely given priority unless a major inspection is due or a major leak has developed. SWAT offers the following suggestions to reduce these expenses and minimize unscheduled maintenance.

Awareness

If a fuel leak exists and you are aware of it, don’t wait until it becomes an airworthiness issue. Call us for an analysis or recommendation and then coordinate repair priority.

Planning

Always try to coordinate fuel system inspections and leak repairs in conjunction with major inspections whenever possible. Allow for estimated downtimes. These repairs often involve some type of structural repair and can be very labor intensive. Cure times for different adhesives and primers is also a concern.

Maintenance

1. Follow manufacturer’s requirements and recommendations, on fuel treatment (i.e., anti-ice, biobor, prist, etc). Sump aircraft fuel drains as required. This can minimize fuel system contamination and the potential for corrosion.

2. During maintenance always be aware of work being performed in wet wing integral tank areas (i.e., fairing R&R). Make sure proper hardware is installed & research IPC. Incorrect or improper length hardware can easily cause structural damage and create costly repairs.

Repair Cost & Pre-Purchase Inspections

Buyer and seller negotiate payment for repair of leaks. This generally results in approval of airworthiness items being paid for by seller, with the buyer to pay for any additional repairs. The seller has just paid for 1/2 of your cost most likely as buyer. Take advantage of this savings since we will generally have access to all leaks areas. Ignore or deferred fuel leaks only get worse, never better! After full fuel leak check evaluation a classified list of fuel leaks is submitted.

Leak Check Procedures

This is the most important rule of fuel leak repairs — always complete a full fuel eight hour leak check evaluation. If required by the manufacturer, do it as long as it’s specified. An initial full fuel leak check is critical on all airframe types. The surface tension of jet fuel cannot be duplicated in any other way.

Please give SWAT a call anytime for your airframe structural or fuel system maintenance requirements.