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C-5M undergoes first ever ISO Inspection

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman James Bolinger
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The first C-5M Super Galaxy is undergoing its first ever Isochronal Inspection at the 436th Maintenance Squadron's Regional ISO dock here.

The aircraft arrived at Dover Air Force Base April 16 to much fanfare. Lockheed Martin officials provided a tour of the aircraft and Col. Sam Cox, 436th Airlift Wing commander, Sen. Tom Carper and Rep. Mike Castle, along with representatives from Lockheed Martin, spoke to media and base officials.

C-5 aircraft are required to have an ISO inspection conducted once every 420 days to ensure safety and compliance with standards and regulations, said Maj. Robert Gomez, 436th MXS commander. Every structure and system on the aircraft is inspected for safety and operability

This is the first C-5M that has completed the Aircraft Modernization Program and Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program to undergo an ISO inspection.

The aircraft will spend 14 days in Dover's ISO dock, said Major Gomez. The first four days were spent washing, de-paneling, lubing and inspecting all areas of the aircraft.
The next five days in the hangar, any damaged or time tracked items are removed and replaced; additionally, all necessary repairs will be accomplished on the primary structures and flight controls.

Once the Super Galaxy has passed through the ISO dock, the process is moved out to Dover's flightline, where back-line maintenance will begin.

Aircraft typically spend two to three days in back-line status where maintenance squadron Airmen accomplish aircraft jacking and conduct operational checks on all major systems to include flight control surfaces and propulsion systems, explained Major Gomez.

Dover AFB was chosen to become one of three C-5 regionalized ISO docks in the Air Force and the only active-duty inspection facility in 2006.

This C-5M is the third of three test aircraft currently undergoing testing by Lockheed Martin, according to a Lockheed Martin press release.

AMP changes the way C-5s are flown by streamlining the Galaxy to emulate civilian aircraft; replacing dials with multi-function display units (computer screens) and installing new communications and navigation panels.

RERP replaces the propulsion system of the aircraft with a commercial propulsion system, which is more fuel efficient and complies with international noise reduction regulations.