Duncan Aviation Warns Low-Utilization Without Proper Preservation Will Result In High Repair Costs

    Feb. 22, 2010
    Duncan Aviation advises that all low-utilization operators, six months or less, that want to keep their Honeywell engines off the DEL (Damaged Engine List), should spool their engines once a month with N1 rotation and make a log book entry.

    LINCOLN, NEB. – Duncan Aviation advises that all low-utilization operators, six months or less, that want to keep their Honeywell engines off the DEL (Damaged Engine List), should spool their engines once a month with N1 rotation and make a log book entry. For engines dormant for longer than six months, fuel system preservation is also required.

    Because of the depressed economy, many flight departments are reducing aircraft utilization. Mike Bernholtz, Duncan Aviation Turbine Engine Service Sales Rep, has seen an increase in the number operators who are experiencing the effects of long-term storage of their TFE731 engines when proper preservation procedures have not been followed.

    “I’m fielding a number of calls from operators who are getting their aircraft ready to be put back into service or on the market for sale, but are discovering their engines are on the DEL and considered ‘unairworthy,’ ” says Bernholtz. “They are calling us to find out, ‘What do I do now and how much will it cost?’ ”

    A typical work scope for an unpreserved engine is a complete teardown to inspect all mainline bearings and the exchange of the fuel pump, fuel control, fuel manifolds, oil pump, among other items and the replacement of all accessory/transfer gearbox bearings. There are additional costs associated with this type of work scope, including other squawks found at disassembly, engine changes and shipping.

    “These are very costly repairs that engine programs, such as MSP or JSSI, will not pay for. The time and money it takes to follow the proper preventative procedures is well worth the effort.” Bernholtz goes on to say, “Engine preservation is just as important as other maintenance items and proper records must be kept just like any other normal maintenance items.”

    The most popular and probably the easiest way to avoid presentation issues is to run the engines once a month and document it in the logbooks.

    For similar relevant technical and troubleshooting articles written by Duncan Aviation’s aircraft experts, read the February issue of Duncan Aviation’s Duncan Intelligence. Distributed to thousands of industry professionals monthly, the Duncan Intelligence newsletter is a free monthly e-mail publication to enhance business aircraft operation and ownership.