Rolls-Royce has signed the 1,500th contract for its CorporateCare Enhanced engine support program. The service, which has been available since 2019, covers various levels of support for the group’s business jet turbofans.
For the AE3007 and Tay engines, CorporateCare Enhanced includes troubleshooting and mobile repair team travel costs. For the Pearl 15, Pearl 700, BR710, and BR725 models, the cover extends to maintenance for the whole powerplant, including the nacelle, engine build-up, and thrust reversers, plus related services such as dealing with corrosion and erosion.
Rolls-Royce engines power more than 4,000 business aircraft, and the company claims almost a 70% share of the propulsion market for very-long- and ultra-long-range, large-cabin jets. More than 2,500 jets are covered by the CorporateCare Enhanced and standard CorporateCare programs, and 75% of newly delivered Rolls-Royce-powered aircraft are now covered by the former.
“Since the launch of our pioneering CorporateCare Enhanced service, we have experienced very strong global demand, clearly recognizing the value this program brings for our customers,” said Lindsey Gillen, v-p of sales and marketing at Rolls-Royce Business Aviation Services. “What really resonates with them is our philosophy behind it: whatever it is, if we provide it, we cover it. The program delivers an unrivalled, comprehensive coverage for the full powerplant, including both engine and nacelle, along with priority access to our dedicated Business Aviation Service Network.”
CorporateCare Enhanced hourly rate contracts run for 10 years and if the aircraft is sold before the end of that period they can switch to a new contract. According to Rolls-Royce, operators covered by the contracts receive 35% more value in terms the maintenance costs they would incur if they were not covered and paid the expenses out of pocket.
Covered Aircraft Sell Quicker and For More
Gillen told AIN that aircraft with engines covered by CorporateCare Enhanced sell more quickly when put on the market and command higher prices. She said that both commercial charter and private operators sign up for the program and her team aim to sign up all new aircraft buyers at the point of delivery.
For now, Rolls-Royce engines power a variety of Gulfstream and Bombardier jets. Its new Pearl 10X turbofan is set to enter service on Dassault's new Falcon 10X model.
Rolls-Royce has invested around $1 billion in its service center network for business aircraft engines. This commitment includes 10 parts stores worldwide exclusively for CorporateCare operators to ensure that they have priority access at a time when supply chain issue can cause maintenance delays.
The manufacturer has 85 service centers worldwide, as well as 85 on-wing service technicians who can be dispatched to assist operators. It also holds around 250 lease assets, including engines and nacelles that can be fitted to customer aircraft during maintenance work.
"We haven't had any AOG situations that were due to there being no parts or lease engines available," Gillen said.
Rolls-Royce is now deploying artificial intelligence to proactively identify performance patterns in turbofans. Its engine health vibration monitoring units record around 10,000 parameters.