P&WC Reports Strong Response to Eagle Service Plans

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC, Booth 3239) is reporting a positive response to enhanced versions of its Eagle Service Plan (ESP) introduced in July for operators of its PT6A turboprops. More than 10,000 engines are now covered by the power-by-the-hour ESP programs.

The new ESPecially for Your PT6 program provides complimentary coverage for the first 400 flight hours to operators of new PT6A-powered aircraft. Existing ESP customers can now apply funds held in a current plan to cover a new engine of the same model or a new engine conversion at the time of overhaul.

The new coverage represents around $50,000 worth of support per engine for the first 400 hours. After this initial period, customers can switch to a reduced-rate ESP plan until their first powerplant overhaul.

“In the three months since we launched ESPecially for Your PT6 engine plan, the enrollment in the program has been outstanding,” said Satheeshkumar Kumarasingam, P&WC’s commercial services vice president. “With the PT6A engine, we’re delivering innovative hardware and responsive care. In fact, we’re seeing interest from aircraft OEMs to incorporate the ESPecially for Your PT6 engine plan into their own maintenance packages to offer the most comprehensive ‘tip-to-tail’ aircraft coverage.”

Under ESP plans, operators pay a fixed monthly fee based on the number of engine hours flown. They can select different levels of coverage according to their maintenance needs. All plans cover engine overhaul/refurbishment, hot section inspection/refurbishment, basic unscheduled engine maintenance and accessory repair and recommended product support improvements at engine shop visits.

PW800 Support

Meanwhile, P&WC is preparing to start providing support to operators of Gulfstream’s new G500 and G600 jets, which are powered by the PurePower PW800 turbofan and are due to enter service, respectively, in 2017 and 2018. The manufacturer has finalized technical publications for the PW800 family, including the PW814GA and PW815GA, which respectively power the Gulfstream G500 and G600. It also is ready to start enrolling operators in the ESP program for the PW800.

“We have spent a lot of time over the past year working with customers to understand their needs, and the PurePower ESP plan is an embellishment of the program,” explained Scott McElvaine, senior director for PurePower PW800 marketing and customer service. P&WC also has been making investments in the parts and maintenance network for the new engines.