First C-130J to pass new PDM process departs Robins Published Sept. 30, 2011 By Jenny Gordon 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The first C-130J to complete a new programmed depot maintenance process departed Robins Wednesday, for the 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The J model, which arrived June 13, was one of three being maintained here by the 560th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. The next C-130J is due to arrive this week. Unlike traditional programmed depot maintenance, the C-130J was maintained during the last several months in the Progressive Maintenance Program, which involves a customized maintenance package. Work done on the tactical airlift plane - which has many capabilities, including landing on rough airstrips throughout the world - included structural repairs, non-destructive inspections and a new paint job. There were between 40 and 50 maintainers who worked on the plane at any given point throughout the 7,000 to 8,000 hours of production during the last 100 days. The plane, with 4,143 total equivalent flying hours, passed its functional flight test for quality on the first try Sept. 23. "This is the beginning of a process that will go on for quite some time into the future," said Col. Randall Burke, 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group commander. "We're in the validation phase, a test phase where we're developing and refining the procedures." C-130Js - because they're newer aircraft - have more advanced technology, including a more modern avionics system, and greater lift and range. Maj. Dan Windham with the 339th Flight Test Squadron was standing by, checking the plane prior to takeoff. "My job was created for this airplane; I'm excited for it to be here," said Windham, who qualified on a C-130J model. He described the model as having a 30-percent improvement on other models as far as range, fuel efficiency, and cargo. "In the desert, when I flew it over there, we could fly missions in one day what a normal plane would have to fly in two days," he added. "It's really nice to fly." Introduced to the Air Force's inventory in 1999, the planes are sent through PMP after 12 years of service. "It is significant because this inspection program is different than other C-130 aircraft, and basically begins with the 12-year cycle," added Burke, saying the planes are near the end of that cycle now. "This is new work for the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, and it will continue and grow as the number of J models increase in the Air Force inventory." Delivery of the aircraft was the result of nearly two years of planning and preparation within the 560th AMXS. During fiscal year 2012, eight C-130Js are scheduled to be delivered.