July saw the completion of the next phase of the Royal Air Force of Oman Search and Rescue liferaft servicing and maintenance training. The SAR Liferaft is an air asset that that can be deployed from either multi-engine fixed wing or rotary aircraft. The liferaft’s descent speed is controlled by a drogue parachute and the liferaft automatically inflates on contact with the water giving persons in the water a platform to on which to survive whilst they wait for rescue by SAR aircraft or surface vessels.
The training will enable RAFO safety equipment technicians to service and maintain the liferafts in accordance with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) technical Component Maintenance Manual (CMM) and the equipment will be maintained under RAFO’s Military Regulatory Publications (MRP) and in accordance with their safety assurance procedures.
In addition to the personal development of the SE technician the training enhances RAFO’s suitably qualified and experienced personnel allowing the quality management system to assess competency in accordance with the authorities’ regulatory articles. The training will reduce the time the equipment is off line, reduce logistics cost and the logistics burden of transporting the equipment to the OEM, enhances overall control of the maintenance task and will enable RAFO to develop their own operational maintenance policy.
