This past winter we got an phone call from American Airlines asking for repair service to an inflatable engine shelter.
We went onsite to O’Hare to do the repair with our portable Sailrite Ultrafeed sewing machine. This portable machine is great because we can take it out to larger jobs that can’t come to the shop.
These igloo shelters are necessary to protect the engine and workers while its being repaired in colder weather. The inflatable structure is equipped with two portable generators. They supply heat to the portable space and power lights so that the Tech Ops can have proper working conditions. The front of the igloo is easily detachable. This allows you to have enough room to move the engine inside and back out after the repairs are finished. This helps speed up repairs when there isn’t enough room to bring the plane inside, or if the plane is much to big.
This igloo in particular had a small rip in one of the seams that was causing an air leak. We came out, sewed it up making sure it was nice and secure so these guys could get to work in the Chicago winds during the winter!