PX engineer awarded

AIR Niugini has rewarded one of its engineers for outstanding performance and valuable contribution to the national airline.
Licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, 26-year-old Benjamin Possiri of Bougainville and East Sepik parentage, was awarded the chief executive officer’s commendation certificate for dedication, initiative and application of correct maintenance practices.
Last December, Air Niugini’s Dash 8-200 aircraft P2-ANK’s left engine became unserviceable and required a reduction gear box (RGB) replacement.
Replacing the RGB on wing or sending the engine to an approved repair facility was costly and time-consuming.
Air Niugini chief executive officer Wasantha Kumarasiri, in commending Possiri yesterday, said: “While the senior management was contemplating sourcing external assistance for this technically complex task, Possiri stepped forward with motivation and conviction to take on the challenge of changing the RGB on wing.”
The engineer told the management that he had assisted the engineering team on a similar task last October and was willing to take up the challenge.
Keeping in view his record as a competent engineer with suitable experience, Benjamin was allocated the task.
Kumarasiri said Possiri followed the maintenance instruction in the relevant manual and demonstrated application of correct maintenance practice and cooperative spirit in achieving the task.
The job was completed and the engine met all performance requirements upon functional testing and had been operational since the change.
“Possiri has proven to be a competent and valuable asset to Air Niugini engineering services.
“The completion of this task demonstrated his ability to manage a complex maintenance task where there was both time and monetary savings to the advantage of Air Niugini,” Kumarasiri said.
Possiri said he did not expect such an award, however, it was good to see Air Niugini acknowledging the effort of its staff.