Best practice update for aircraft recyclers

Archiv – France | The France-based Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA) has updated its best management practice guide which it describes as ’the industry standard’ for the disassembly of aircraft engines and frames. The document collates best practice recommendations for the management of parts removed from aircraft during the disassembly process.France | The France-based Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA) has updated its best management practice guide which it describes as ’the industry standard’ for the disassembly of aircraft engines and frames. The document collates best practice recommendations for the management of parts removed from aircraft during the disassembly process.
According to AFRA’s Executive Director Martin Fraissignes, Version 2.0 of the guide represents ’a massive step forward’ in highlighting best practice regarding the dismantling and recycling of aircraft engine parts. He states: ’The guide could replace existing accident/incident statements which provide little or no value in terms of determining the airworthiness of aircraft regularly labelled as accident or incident damaged by the NTSB – the US government’s independent air accident investigation organisation; these existing statements provide no real intelligence on the condition of aircraft parts.’
Three of AFRA’s 34 member companies have become the first to receive accreditation under Version 2.0 of the best management practice guide – namely Bonus Tech of the USA, Orange Aero from the UK, and Volvo Aero Services Corp. (VAS) of Sweden. Jeff Kuhn, a partner in Bonus Tech, comments: ’The AFRA accreditation is a perfect fit for our business. The new version of AFRA’s best management practice guide focuses on engine disassembly which is our core business. This is the most credible certification process for disassembly facilities. It will put us in a much better position to serve our customers, who increasingly demand environmental excellence.’ The AFRA accreditation process boosts the company’s market competitiveness and should increase business opportunities, he adds.
Ron Wolf, Vice President of Quality at VAS, agrees: ’The new accreditation will definitely enhance our business offer of after-market services because the AFRA guide promotes and supports a safe and environmentally responsible and cost-effective way of recovering parts from aircraft engines and airframes.’