OVERHAUL 1.qxp_Finance 27/01/2021 10:18 Page 1
ENGINES GERRARD COWAN is a freelance journalist who focuses on aerospace, defense and finance. He can be found on Twitter @GerrardCowan
Your Overhaul FAQs Answered by the Experts What are the common questions asked by aircraft owners and operators regarding upcoming engine overhauls? Gerrard Cowan asks some of the leading engine OEMs and service providers…
verhauling your business jet engine can be a complex process, meaning there are plenty of frequently asked questions received by the MROs and engine manufacturers. AvBuyer asked some of the leading companies in the sector to tell us the most common questions they field from customers in terms of technology, logistics and operations – and the answers they suggest.
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1. What exactly does an overhaul entail?
The purpose of an overhaul is quite simply to restore your engine to its optimum performance level, and to improve fuel consumption, says Timothy Swail, vicepresident, customer programs at Pratt & Whitney. The overhaul process involves the complete disassembly of the engine, he adds, with each part carefully examined according to the engine manuals for wear or damage. Depending on the situation, these parts are either repaired or replaced with new or used serviceable parts. When the overhauled engine is reassembled it is then tested for performance validation and signed off by technical experts. According to James Prater, Vice President, Customer Support – Business Aviation at Rolls-Royce, 14 Vol 25 Issue 2 2021 AVBUYER MAGAZINE
customers of its CorporateCare Enhanced engine maintenance program often enquire about what is and isn’t covered during a shop visit. Anything that is provided through the program is covered, Prater notes, including corrosion and erosion of the engine and the nacelle. The only exceptions are for Foreign Object Damage (FOD), neglect and expiration of the replacement time for Life-Limited Parts (LLPs), though Prater says this could be covered as an optional extra. If your aircraft is enrolled on an hourly maintenance program, irrespective of the company providing the coverage, it’s worth clarifying with the provider what is covered well in advance of an overhaul.
2. How long will it take?
The time taken to complete an engine overhaul varies, a spokesperson for General Electric told AvBuyer. The time required can change depending on the engine model, condition, scope of work and shop availability. Swail echoed this, noting that there are different operational performance requirements and complexities depending on the engine model. “Our owned and appointed facilities each offer different www.AVBUYER.com
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