Duncan Aviation has sent out an advisory, warning those who aren’t flying as much to take extra precautions to protect their engines.
The company specifically notes that low-utilization operators who 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 and aircraft owners aren’t flying as much, Duncan officials note. Mike Bernholtz, Duncan Aviation Turbine Engine Service sales rep, notes the company 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 said. “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 issues — is to run the engines once a month and document it in the logbooks.
For more information: DuncanAviation.aero.
