Aircraft Engine Maintenance

What is included in Aircraft Engine Maintenance?

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Five Tips to Help Avoid Unnecessary Engine Maintenance Cost…

Aircraft mechanic checking a business jet engine in hangar
Fast Facts

1. Don’t scrimp on replacement Life Limited Components (LLCs)… 

  • Avoid the urge to install cheaper replacement parts without enough time or cycles before the next scheduled maintenance inspection.
  • Short-term LLC savings could cost you more through additional maintenance events and airplane downtime.
Beechcraft King Air engine maintenance in the hangar

2. Are you monitoring your engine performance data closely? 

  • Changes in engine performance can be subtle. Closely monitoring such data can reveal subtle shifts, indicating a potentially bigger issue ahead.
  • Catching the small shifts with the combustion chamber, turbine nozzle or turbine blade data early can prevent much higher engine maintenance costs later…

 

Business jet engine parts and components

3. How good are your engine preservation methods? 

  • Engine OEMs set engine preservation requirements for periods of powerplant inactivity. Failure to comply could cause significant expense.
  • Methods could require monthly engine runs; disconnecting electrical power to the engines; full preservation of the fuel system; routine oil samples; and dry-motoring the engine.

 

Large business jet and powerplant

4. An unscheduled event is an opportunity for a scheduled inspection! 

  • If you need to access an internal engine component outside of a scheduled shop visit, ask about the extra cost to sign-off for the next major inspection.
  • The cost may be minimal, and by performing the inspection now, you won’t incur extra expenses for the same access just a short time later…

 

Business jet APU

5. Don't neglect the APUs...

  • Replacing the fuel nozzles and ignitors (even when the requirement is only to inspect and replace when necessary) could save expense and downtime later.
  • The risk of damaged hot section components related to poor fuel nozzle spray patterns and unscheduled downtime related to a faulty ignitor will be reduced.

FAQ: Aircraft Engine Maintenance

Your frequently asked questions about business aircraft engine maintenance answered...
  • Who should do your engine maintenance work?

    There are many MRO facilities that could do your aircraft engine maintenance work. But you should make sure the one you choose can handle all the associated MRO work on the engine's accessories and components as well as the engine itself.

    If a facility needs to outsource any component/accessory MRO work, then the overall time taken to overhaul the engine will increase, along with the possible costs.

    You should also ensure the engine maintenance facility has a proven track-record for working on your engine type and you should ask to see references from previous customers who have had work completed on the same engine type.

    Finally, consider the proximity of the engine maintenance provider to your operating base. Much time, expense and complication can be saved if you are available and present at the maintenance facility when needed.

  • How long does aircraft engine maintenance take?

    In the case of a complete aircraft engine overhaul, engine maintenance can take anywhere from three to six weeks, or more.

  • Can you control the costs of aircraft engine maintenance?

    You can control the costs of aircraft engine maintenance. All of the engine manufacturers and some third-party providers offer Hourly Engine Maintenance Cost Programs, removing the nasty surprises of engine maintenance.

    These programs require you to pay a set amount into an account for every hour that your aircraft flies. That accrues, so that when scheduled or unscheduled engine maintenance is required, the program provider covers some, if not all the costs – including, in some cases, the expense of borrowing loaner engines while your regular powerplants are being repaired or overhauled.

    You are advised to check with the relevant program provider what is covered by their program, and the hourly payment that will be required.

  • How much does aircraft engine maintenance cost?

    Smaller business jet engines can cost in the region of $200k-$300k each to overhaul. At the other end of the scale, modern large business jet engines can each cost between $1m-$3m to overhaul.

    Turboprop engines tend to cost less to maintain than jet engines. The costs for turboprop engines overhaul in Business Aviation tends to range between $100k-$300k each.

    Helicopter turboshaft engine maintenance costs are similar to turboprops. Operators can expect to pay $100k to $300k per engine, per shop visit.

Service Providers

Pratt & Whitney Canada

We are a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. Our large commercial engines power nearly 30 percent of the world's mainline passenger aircraft fleet. We also provide the services to support your ...

Engine Assurance Program

The Engine Assurance Program (EAP) was founded to fill a void in the marketplace. The cost of engine maintenance coverage for mature aircraft has remained high despite the fact that the airframe, engines and parts are now available for significantly ...

Bombardier Smart Services

The new Smart Services cost per-flight-hour offerings are more inclusive than ever before and provide the flexibility to tailor your cost coverage according to your operational needs. Our programs with no upfront enrollment or management fees allows you to budget ...

Industry Experts

  • Chris Kjelgaard

    Chris Kjelgaard has been an aviation journalist for 40 years with a particular expertise on aircraft...

  • Mike Saathoff

    Mike Saathoff has over 20 years of experience in corporate aircraft maintenance. He has held several...

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