MRO 2 JULY21.qxp_Finance 22/06/2021 12:33 Page 1
MRO
How to Pick the Right Engine Maintenance Coverage There are choices for aircraft operators to make to ensure they reap the full benefits offered by engine maintenance programs. Matt Harris asks Delray Dobbins how Pratt & Whitney Canada operators can choose the right level of ESP coverage…
he advantages of hourly engine maintenance programs for aircraft are widely known, and work more-or-less the same way across several offerings that are provided by all of the major aircraft engine manufacturers today, and a handful of third-party providers. An operator pays a fixed fee – usually per flight hour – to their program provider. That money accrues in an account, so that when a substantial engine maintenance expense is incurred, the program pays out, covering the cost. Much of the unpredictability surrounding the costs of engine maintenance is removed, giving the aircraft owner more peace of mind. “Programs like Pratt & Whitney’s Eagle Service Plan (ESP) keep owners flying,” explains Delray Dobbins, Senior Manager, ESP Sales & Global Strategy, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “While an aircraft engine is being
T
18 Vol 25 Issue 7 2021 AVBUYER MAGAZINE
maintained in one of our owned or designated service facilities, we arrange for the lease of an engine for that aircraft, keeping it operational for its owner.” Dobbins says this is what distinguishes an engine maintenance program from warranty coverage on a new aircraft – in fact, he says, ESP enrolment is even attractive for owners alongside their warranty coverage.
Coverage Levels: Know the Difference
Yet, there’s much more for an aircraft owner or operator to understand than the basic advantages of engine programs per se. Most program providers offer a range of coverage levels, each being designed for owners with slightly different needs. Traditionally, Pratt & Whitney ESP came with four levels – Silver, Silver Lite, Gold and Gold Lite – but, having listened to customers, the company simplified www.AVBUYER.com
w