While it’s exciting to see the business aviation market in recovery mode, it’s more important than ever to plan and prepare for engine repairs and rental engine needs. With increased utilization has come part shortages and backlogs at the engine shops. EAP says that’s when hourly maintenance programs can really benefit operators. In addition to the program’s coverage, its power extends to its ability to provide parts, rental engines, shop slots and AOG support. All of this ultimately translates into dispatch reliability, which in the end is the most important aspect for the client.
“Operators tell us that they have trouble getting rental engines, parts and field support, so we’ve worked hard to fill that need,” says Sean Lynch, EAP’s managing director. “The result is that we have never had a client miss a trip because of the lack of rental engine, and our clients maintain a 99.99 percent dispatch reliability rate.”
EAP has distinguished itself by having one of the highest ratios of rental engines to enrolled engines in the industry – a difficult feat given the current scarcity of engines. EAP has invested millions in engines, APUs and engine parts and routinely offers rental engines to TFE731 customers during MPIs.
In addition to its own in-house experts, EAP now has teamed with Aviation Repair Group (ARG) to provide on-site engine and APU services including rapid response to AOG situations. ARG provides engine and APU line service capabilities including AOG support, routine maintenance, troubleshooting and more on all Honeywell TFE731 model engines and GTCP36-100/150 series APUs across the U.S. This includes R&Rs, performance runs, fan balancing, vibration surveys, gear box pressure checks and borescopes. In this new partnership, Aviation Repair Group keeps field service teams on hold to dispatch for scheduled and AOG events when there are no local resources available.
THE E ALSO STANDS FOR EXPANSION
For the third consecutive year, EAP has expanded its product line. EAP continues to grow at a rapid pace and continues to add more engines and APUs to its coverage. With the recent addition of several Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce engines to the program, EAP’s support now extends to numerous Cessna Citation aircraft, Gulfstream’s G200 and GV, and Bombardier’s Global Express/XRS.
EAP’s hourly engine maintenance program provides operators with dispatch reliability, increased residual value, enhanced customer service and meaningful cost savings, while using the same high-quality engine MRO shops as the other programs. EAP covers all variants of the Honeywell TFE731 as well as General Electric, Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney engines. With the newly added engines, EAP covers a large portfolio of engine models on some of the most popular business jets.
“Clients continue to ask us to cover more engines and APUs, so we do our best to accommodate them,” adds Lynch. “EAP’s full-service engine program provides comprehensive coverage and full service, which is of particular benefit to aging aircraft. Now these still highly versatile airframes can stay in service longer and maintain their value.”
POWERING THE INDUSTRY
On average, aircraft for sale without an engine program tend to sit on the market longer and capture below wholesale pricing when they do sell. When EAP keeps an aircraft flying for six or eight more years, there is an entire revenue stream/trickle-down effect that feeds the whole industry and benefits all—pilots, parts resellers, maintenance companies, fuel resellers, engine shops, avionics shops, and on and on. Engines programs power the entire industry.
“Clients are motivated by customer service, pricing and responsiveness. When a client calls, they expect full attention until their situation is resolved, whether it is scheduled or an unscheduled AOG,” says Lynch. “Being on an engine program gives you access to a level of service you can’t obtain otherwise.”
For more information, visit www.eap.aero.