Spotted At Lufthansa Technik Hamburg

Lufthansa Technik (LHT) Hamburg has the SOFIA Flying Observatory in right now for maintenance work. The modified Boeing 747SP is a joint project of NASA and DLR, which can operate at 14,000 meters and follow the planets space agencies are looking for because of its high speed. The aircraft features special electronic systems and a 4x6 meter door in the fuselage for its telescope. Experts within LHT's VIP and Special Mission Aircraft Services division have been working with NASA and DLR on routine maintenance of the aircraft.

The aircraft was brought to LHT Hamburg for a routine C-check, but has remained at the site to address a needed repair discovered during the check. A maintenance fuel leak where the outer engine on the left side attaches to the wing was discovered, which needs to be addressed before the aircraft returns to flight operations. Due to the aircraft’s older age, only a few MROs still have the knowledge to maintain it. A spokesperson for LHT says the company has long-time experience with the 747SP because it has taken care of VIP customers for decades. Previously, LHT Hamburg completed a D-check for the SOFIA Flying Observatory back in 2014.

This more than 80-year-old aircraft has a history of both military and commercial use. Despite its age, the Ju 52 is still flying today. Lufthansa makes the aircraft available for flight rentals each year. The aircraft is currently at LHT Hamburg for its off-season.

The Ju 52 carries around 10,000 passengers each year between April and October. To keep the aircraft flying, a team of 50 volunteer pilots, flight engineers and flight attendants as well as 12 full-time staff contribute to the efforts. According to Lufthansa Technik, more than 3,500 hours are needed each winter to keep the Ju 52 in working condition.

LHT’s Lconnect project to equip Lufthansa Group’s entire Airbus A320 family fleet with Ka-band Wi-Fi connectivity is well under way. A spokesperson for LHT says the company has the capability to install this connectivity in up to 10 aircraft in parallel per week at various facilities. Installation, which takes less than four days, is often combined with maintenance checks to minimize ground time for airlines.

The project is taking place on all A320 family aircraft for Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Eurowings, and a spokesperson says work is on track to be completed by the end of this year. Lukas Bucher, head of connectivity at LHT, says the company is benefiting from its expertise and ownership of all required technologies for the project, including logistics. "That is a significant advantage when it comes to providing airlines with customized consulting on how to introduce connectivity," says Bucher.

Spotted at LHT Hamburg during the annual press conference was Luftwaffe 16+02, which is used by the German government for official travel and diplomatic business. A spokesperson for LHT says the aircraft was at the Hamburg site for a routine maintenance check. With more than 50 years of experience working with the German Air Force, LHT has been entrusted to provide comprehensive supply for the Special Air Mission Wing of the Federal Ministry of Defense.

To fill its employment pipeline, LHT has a robust apprenticeship program. Currently, LHT has 569 dual student apprentices within Germany, which a spokesperson says has been a consistent number for the past few years. Apprentices training for roles such as aircraft mechanic, electroplater, electronic technician and more learn in workshops such as this one at the Hamburg site.