What is maintenance?
The stage that keeps the system working — planned care to prevent faults, repair when they occur, and records of every job.
Maintenance keeps the system performing as designed. Preventive work is planned: inspecting, cleaning, checking torque and seals, and replacing worn parts before they fail. Corrective work responds to faults that still occur, finding the cause and restoring the item to working order.
Every repair is verified before the item returns to service, and every job is recorded. The records show repeated faults and wear, and they guide the next inspection, the spares held and the asset plan. Neglected maintenance lets small faults grow into lost lighting and higher cost.
- Plan. Schedule the work, prepare spares and tools, and arrange permits and access.
- Inspect. Check condition, find defects and report faults.
- Service. Clean fixtures, check torque and seals, and replace worn parts.
- Repair. Find the cause of a fault, fix or replace the item and make the area safe.
- Verify. Test circuits, light output and alignment, then return the item to service.
- Record. Log the work, parts used and findings to guide future work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is maintenance in airfield ground lighting?
The lifecycle stage that keeps the system performing as designed throughout its service life. It covers planned preventive work such as inspection, cleaning and servicing, and corrective work that repairs faults, with the results recorded.
Q2What is the difference between preventive and corrective maintenance?
Preventive maintenance is planned and carried out at set intervals or on condition, to find and prevent problems before they cause failures. Corrective maintenance responds to a fault or failure that has already occurred and restores the item to working order.
Q3What does maintenance start from?
The records from operation and the manufacturer instructions: faults, availability, past work and equipment condition. These, together with the aerodrome's requirements, set what work is needed and how often.
Q4Why is work checked after a repair?
To prove the fix worked and nothing else was disturbed. Checks can include circuit and light output tests, alignment and control function, and the item is returned to service only when they are satisfactory.
Q5Why keep maintenance records?
Records show what was done, when and by whom, and they reveal repeated faults, wear and trends. They help plan future work and spares, and they give asset planning evidence for repair, renewal or upgrade decisions.
Q6How is maintenance done safely on an airfield?
Work areas are agreed with airfield operations, permits and access control are followed, and equipment is made safe before work starts. Lighting is restored and the airfield cleared and handed back correctly when the work is done.
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