HVM program set for expansion Published Jan. 14, 2011 By Wayne Crenshaw 78 ABW/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The High Velocity Maintenance program at Robins is about to take a big step forward. For the past two years, a team has been testing the concepts of HVM on a series of C-130s in an isolated hangar on the flightline. When the next C-130 arrives for HVM on Jan. 21, the program will move from its "lab environment" in Bldg. 44 into the main C-130 hangar in Bldg. 91, and bit closer to HVM being the method for all C-130 maintenance done here. The team will continue to work on only one aircraft at a time, but the plan is to expand to two HVM lines, then three, and so on. "It's going to be a sequential process of expansion as we move forward," said Jerry Mobley, HVM team lead. The HVM team has already made one other significant move. HVM support members recently transitioned to Bldg. 155, marking the first time HVM engineers, planners, equipment specialists, and others were all working in the same building. The goal of HVM is to improve the availability of aircraft by reducing the downtime required for programmed depot maintenance. HVM marks a dramatic change in the way PDM is done. It starts with inspecting aircraft in the field so maintainers will know exactly what aircraft need when they arrive. That allows "kits" to be prepared so mechanics have everything they need to perform particular tasks. In turn, mechanics can spend more time working on aircraft and less time tracking down tools and parts, ultimately reducing the time aircraft are not available. "I think we have conclusively shown the value of understanding the condition of the platform before it gets here and having a detailed package built," said Doug Keene, HVM product lead. It also involves "manloading," or placing more mechanics on the planes, thereby speeding up the PDM process and getting repairs completed faster. The biggest uncertainty left is the HVM strategy of switching PDM cycles from every six years to every 18 months. The idea is by bringing in the aircraft more often for shorter periods of time, the overall downtime will be less because the aircraft are kept in better condition. But that's not quite as easy as it sounds. Converting to shorter cycles involves complex issues of financing, manpower, and logistics which aren't easily sorted out. "The decision on cycles is still to be finalized," Mobley said. "Regardless, we are going to do HVM."