United Airlines opened a new $352 million technical operations center (TOC) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The 407,000 sq. ft. hangar floor comprises two bays-- each of which can support one widebody (Boeing 777 or 787) or three narrowbodies. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
Ramp Space
United also has ramp space to park another 22 aircraft. On a typical night, that usually includes five or six widebodies and the rest narrowobodies. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
Fresh Air
Megadoors fold up and roll down. TechOps doesn’t perform maintenance that requires closed doors so it takes advantage of the Southern California fresh air as much as possible. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
Powering Up
In-ground service pits provide electrical power to aircraft. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
Fall-Arrest System
The hangar includes a fall-arrest system (seen here in yellow). Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
Fire Suppression System
The hangar also includes a foam fire suppression system (shown in red). Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
Tool Shop
The tool shop is centrally located in the hangar. Tools and parts, except consumables, have barcodes. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
Grease Room
The grease room, isolated between the tool room and hangar. Technicians can check out grease pumps from the tool room. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
Hazmat Storage
Originally these yellow hazmat containers were in the tool room but technicians said they use the contents frequently and needed quicker access to it so it they were moved to hangar floor. The cabinets contains things such as grease, adhesives, cleaners, paints and primers. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
Engine Removal
United removed this Boeing 737-800’s CFM56 engine because it was experiencing high oil consumption. It went into the airline’s engine build up shop at its LAX tech ops center before being sent to the OEM for overhaul. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
RB211
A Rolls-Royce RB211 engine for a Boeing 757 or 767. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
Gantry System
A gantry can old two widebody and one narrowbody engine simultaneously. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
787 GEnx Engine
United’s tech ops engine shop at LAX does most of the 787 engine changes for the system. “Our guys are just experts at it and the 787 G (GEnx-1B) motor has some fuel nozzle issues, so we're also primarily taking care of those as well. Our inspection team has the latest and greatest experience, with GE’s assistance, in knowing what to look for,” says Fabio Maietta, United’s managing director of LAX technical operation3254: The blast fence allows United to perform engine run-ups after a shop visit. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
Break Time
Having one break room big enough to host the daily safety briefings at the start of each shift—instead of giving the briefing in four rooms—has improved communications. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
Training Center
The training facility at United Airlines’ tech ops center where the maintenance staff can complete recurrent training. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
GSE Repair
United’s ground support equipment shop maintains everything from tugs to trucks. Photo credit: Lee Ann Shay/Aviation Week
As executive editor of MRO and business aviation, Lee Ann Shay directs Aviation Week's coverage of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), including Inside MRO, and business aviation, including BCA.
