TM 1-1500-204-23-1
CHAPTER 4
AIRCRAFT STORAGE AND SHIPMENT
4-1.
General. The following paragraphs provide
information on the preparation of Army aircraft for
shipment and storage.
4-2.
Categories of Storage. The length of time that the
aircraft will be inactive will determine which of the
following categories of storage will be used.
a.
Flyable Storage. Flyable storage is the
prescribed procedure to maintain a stored aircraft in
operable condition. Next to daily use, this category of
storage keeps the aircraft in the best possible condition.
All scheduled preventative maintenance will be performed
on aircraft in flyable storage, and periodic operation of the
aircraft and all systems is required. There is no time limit
on flyable storage.
b.
Short Term Storage. Short term storage is
used to store an aircraft for a period not to exceed 45
days. Aircraft in short term storage require extensive
preservation but very little periodic attention.
c.
Intermediate Storage. Intermediate storage is
used to store aircraft for a period of 46 to 180 days.
Aircraft in intermediate storage require very extensive
preservation but minimal periodic attention.
d.
Long Term Storage. Procedures for
long term storage are not available for the storage of
Army aircraft if storage beyond 180 days is required, the
aircraft will be depreserved, returned to flyable status,
operated, and represerved in accordance with this
chapter.
4-3.
Responsibility. The Commanding Officer shall be
responsible for initiating action to place aircraft in storage
in accordance with this chapter. The type of storage used
shall be selected based on the length of time the aircraft
will be inactive.
4-4.
Preparation of Aircraft for Storage. When the
decision is made to place aircraft in flyable, short term, or
intermediate storage, the aircraft will be prepared in
accordance with the applicable Aviation Unit Maintenance
(AVUM) technical manuals. Authorization to take
deviation from published procedures will be obtained, in
writing, from Commander, U S. Army Aviation Systems
Command, ATTN AMSAV-SDP, 4300 Goodfellow Blvd,
St Louis, MO 63120-1798.
4-5.
Inspection of Stored Aircraft. All aircraft placed
in storage shall be carefully inspected at regular intervals
of 60 days or less, depending on local conditions. Stored
aircraft shall be corrosion-treated if this precaution is
found
necessary
when
conducting
inspection
for
corrosion. Particular attention shall be given to those
areas where moisture deposits will not evaporate rapidly.
Normally, corrosion will not be as prevalent on painted
surfaces as on unpainted surfaces. The commanding
officer of the storage facilities shall be responsible for
establishing a program of periodic inspections of stored
aircraft in addition to the prescribed inspections listed
below.
a.
Ensure proper preservation and ventilation of
aircraft and take immediate action to correct all
unsatisfactory conditions.
b.
Ensure drainage holes on underside of
fuselage, wing, center section, and control surfaces
remain unobstructed.
c.
When canvas covers are used for protection,
they shall have drainage holes installed at locations where
water would tend to accumulate.
d.
During hot weather, spot checks shall be
made among each type and model of stored aircraft to
determine maximum interior temperatures encountered.
This shall be accomplished by hanging a standard
thermometer in the interior of aircraft, and recording
readings during the hottest parts of day. When
temperature exceeds 160°F (71°C), action shall be taken
to ventilate aircraft.
e.
To aid ventilation on aircraft employing
astrodomes, astrodome may be removed and replaced
with a covered flue.
f.
Forced ventilation may be employed when
other methods of ventilation are not adequate to prevent
sweating in interior of aircraft and resulting accumulation
of condensation and mildew.
g.
Exterior locks, ground wires, chocks, mooring
ropes, rods, and eyes shall be inspected every 30 days
and immediately after aircraft has been subjected to high
velocity winds (exceeding 40 mph). Pulled rods or
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