Rolls-Royce Expands CorporateCare Engine Cover

Rolls-Royce aims to be supporting more than 1,600 CorporateCare Enhanced contracts for operators of business jets powered by its turbofans by year-end. The manufacturer continues to expand its product support network as deliveries ramp up on engines developed for new models such as the Gulfstream G700 and G800.

In response to input from operators, Rolls-Royce is implementing changes to CorporateCare Enhanced’s terms and conditions. For example, following a meeting in September of the company’s U.S. Corporate Customer Council, it is adding coverage for foreign object damage to Pearl 700 fan blisks, which has previously been solely covered by insurance.

“Having already covered parts and labor [for repairs], we’re now focusing more on the customer experience, with the aim of making our support more seamless for operators,” explained Lindsey Gillen, v-p of sales and marketing at Rolls-Royce Business Aviation Services.

This week at NBAA-BACE, Rolls-Royce's new exhibit is providing visitors with an interactive experience to learn more about every aspect of CorporateCare Enhanced. It is also promoting its new Priority Access, Premier Support brand, and pledge that any money spent on the support packages will always be recouped through its positive contribution to aircraft resale values.

CorporateCare flight-per-hour rates are subject to pre-determined escalation rates, which Rolls-Royce says are now more stable and predictable. Part of this stability comes from the company’s increased use of artificial intelligence to assess and proactively respond to data generated by its engine health monitoring systems.

AI Crunches More Data and Faster

For the latest Pearl engines, Rolls-Royce’s engineering team in Dahlewitz, Germany, can now check around 10,000 performance parameters at a rate of about one data point per second. In addition to hot section engine parts, the technology can also track elements such as hydraulic systems, where signs of slower performance might be an early signal of problems that can be prevented.

The first Pearl 700 turbofans for the Gulfstream G800 were delivered in August. Gillen told AIN that the company is now preparing to start supporting operators of the Dassault Falcon 10X from 2027, when the twinjet is expected to enter service.

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, as well as 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 business 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.

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 of the maintenance costs they would incur if they were not covered and paid the expenses out of pocket.

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 issues can cause maintenance delays. 

The manufacturer has 85 service centers worldwide, in addition to 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.