The complex computerized behemoths that ply the skies today obviously require correspondingly enormous and complex support and maintenance operations to keep them in flying fettle. A good example is the primary maintenance facilities of Iberia Airlines, right near Madrid’s Barajas airport. Its largest hangar, 20,000 square metres (215,278 square feet) in size, is devoted exclusively to checking and repairing the engines that power the fleet. Some 600 employees staff the engine department, which is divided into different areas which we’ll explain below. Each engine check, barring unforeseen circumstances, takes between 60 and 65 days to complete... keep reading