commands having cognizance of Class B activities shall be overhauled by such activities only when specifically authorized by the Bureau of Aeronautics. Designation of this type of aeronautical maintenance activity must be approved by the Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics and the Chief of Naval Operations. Class B aeronautical maintenance activities are provided with equipment and personnel to perform the following work:

1. Permanent extensive repairs to aircraft.

2. Effecting authorized modifications to aircraft, engines, and components thereof.

3. Repair and test of class 265 materials and limited overhaul of specific items as directed by the Bureau of Aeronautics.

4. Limited manufacture of parts required for aircraft repairs or modifications.

5. Class C maintenance work on engines, instruments, propellers, accessories and electronics equipment. 6. Test of aircraft and engines.

Class C

Aeronautical maintenance activities which are provided with facilities for minor repair and routine upkeep of airframes, engines, and accessories, and for effecting authorized modifications are designated as Class C. Military personnel required to operate this type of facility are provided by the command having cognizance over the deployment of aircraft to that station or facility. Civilian personnel are not authorized for employment in this type of facility. Designation of this type of aeronautical maintenance activity must be approved by the Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics and the Chief of Naval Operations. The work which can be performed at Class C activities is limited by applicable Aviation Circular Letters.

Class D

Aeronautical maintenance activities provided with

facilities for the servicing and routine upkeep of aircraft are Class D. Military personnel required to operate this type of facility are provided by the command having cognizance over the deployment of aircraft to that station or facility. Civilian personnel are not authorized for employment in this type of facility. Designation of this type of aeronautical maintenance activity must be approved by the Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics and the Chief of Naval Operations.

Aviation Circular Letter 176-46 is suggested as supplementary reading at this point. It lists detailed maintenance operations, some of which are actually beyond Class C work.

All Naval and Marine Corps aircraft overhaul, repair, and maintenance activities ashore are named and classified by Aviation Circular Letter 176-46 as Class A, B, C, or D establishments.

Aviation Circular Letter 176-46 lists detailed maintenance operations that limit the extent of work which can be performed at Class D activities.

Fleet Aircraft Service Squadrons (Fasrons) are considered Class C activities except when based on a Class D Naval or Marine Air facility in which case they will be considered as a Class D maintenance activity. On all Naval or Marine Corps Air Stations or facilities where no Fasrons are available, the station or facility will provide an aircraft maintenance department of the size and extent required by the classification of the stations.

With this background to the study of aircraft maintenance and classification of maintenance activities ashore, you are now ready to consider the maintenance and organizational aspects of the Fasron program and maintenance responsibilities afloat.

QUIZ

1. In what publication has the Bureau of Aeronautics defined the different terms used in connection with aircraft maintenance and repair?

2. What term is applied to that unit of an aircraft which motivates the aircraft in flight?

3. Into what two groups are accessories divided?

4. What term, for maintenance purposes, applies to airborne equipment other than accessories?

5. What term covers additions, deletions, or changes to existing airframes, engines, or accessories so that they will perform or better perform their intended function?

6. By what term is the preparation of an aircraft for flight described?

7. Who must approve designation of a Class A aeronautical maintenance activity?

8. Who maintains control of organization, procedures, and workloads of Class B maintenance activities?

9. In which class or classes of aeronautical maintenance activities are civilian personnel not authorized for employment?

10. Where can you find all Naval and Marine activities ashore named and classified as Class A, B, C, or D establishments?

11. When are Fasrons not considered Class C activities?

12. When will Naval or Marine Corps Air Stations or facilities provide an aircraft maintenance department of the size and extent required by the classification of the station?

At the close of World War II, certain organizational changes in Fleet Aviation were initiated with regard to support and service elements. These changes in organization were introduced with five broad aims in view-(1) to effect increased efficiency of employment of personnel, (2) to provide for maximum diversified training of personnel, (3) to establish a framework which is capable of expansion into a highly mobile system of organization in event of war, (4) to establish clearcut command relationships and clearly defined missions and tasks of aircraft service squadrons, and (5) to provide higher standards of, and greater uniformity in, aircraft maintenance and upkeep throughout the operating forces.

With the above aims in mind, the Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron (FASRON) was introduced and established. Simultaneously with the establishment of the FASRON and its augmenting units, the wartime fleet air

service units (CASU'S, CASU (F)'s, CASD's, PATSU'S. HEDRON'S and SOSU's) were disestablished.

Other changes incident to the establishment of the FASRON included modifications in the personnel allowances and assigned tasks of squadrons, airgroups, aircraft carriers, tenders, and fleet air wing staffs.

In general, the maintenance personnel allowance of the Aircraft Service Division of aircraft carriers was reduced; while in the case of squadrons and air groups it was increased. Thus, fewer maintenance personnel remain aboard idle as air groups and squadrons are debarked. This makes for greater utilization of maintenance personnel while aircraft are based ashore.

The streamlined system for air groups and squadrons can be quickly attained in the event of war by transferring all but the basic nucleus of personnel back to the carriers or tenders and the FASRONS ashore.

FASRONS are really the fleet's representative ashore— the welcoming committee for itinerant shore-based fleet air units, and the hosts to carrier aircraft and personnel when deployed ashore.

FUNCTIONS OF THE FASRON PROGRAM

In implementing the FASRON program, the assigned tasks of fleet aircraft squadrons and air groups as operating activities were established to include the following: 1. To assume custody of assigned aircraft.

2. To perform engine changes and routine upkeep and servicing of assigned aircraft as defined in article 12-101, Bureau of Aeronautics Manual.

3. To assume and maintain full responsibility for operational availability of assigned aircraft.

4. To fully support, insofar as minimum personnel requirements are concerned, own operations for limited periods of time when based upon minimum physical facilities afloat or ashore.

5. To operate in a streamlined status for limited