Systems and methods for positioning fairing sheaths of gas turbine engines

A system for positioning a fairing sheath of a gas turbine engine comprising:

• a tool having a clamp and opposing gripping members;
• the clamp having a first clamping surface and a second clamping surface that are operative to clamp onto a leading edge portion of a fairing sheath;
• and
• the gripping members being operative to pivot about the clamp, a first of the gripping members having a first contact face and a first seal positioned on the first contact face, a second of the gripping members having a second contact face and a second seal positioned on the second contact face, the first contact face opposing the second contact face, the first contact face and the first seal being operative to form a first vacuum chamber, the second contact face and the second seal being operative to form a second vacuum chamber;
• wherein a slot is formed between the first contact face and the second contact face, and extends into the clamp between the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface.