Engine preservation plan provides runway for smooth take-off

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Tuesday 5 May 2020 19:03 PM

Engine preservation plan provides runway for smooth take-off

Expert teams across the world are providing our customers with the individual support they need to protect their aircraft engines in readiness for a return to the skies.

With many of the world’s airlines and business jet operators temporarily grounding their aircraft as a consequence of the global Covid-19 pandemic, a careful and structured approach to engine preservation is vital to ensure peak performance is maintained once more normal service resumes.

During the crisis, our teams have been supporting customers by providing them with expert advice on how to prepare for extended periods of engine downtime and how to make sure their engines are fit to fly once they take to the skies again. This process requires careful compliance with technical procedures to ensure that operators are able to maximise the flying potential of their engines without delay, and to avoid any maintenance liability for preservation-related deterioration. This applies to all types of aircraft engines used for commercial and business aviation.

Similarly, the de-preservation of engines is another area where we offer our customers careful guidance in putting the right process in place to ensure a smooth take-off.

Virgin Atlantic is just one example of a customer who we have been working closely with on engine preservation. Rolls-Royce powers more than 30 aircraft in the Virgin Atlantic fleet, the majority of which are currently on the ground. Philip Wardlaw, VP of Maintenance and Engineering at Virgin Atlantic said: “The onset of Covid-19 has seen a number of our aircraft grounded. Safety is always our first priority and so we’re grateful for the collaboration with Rolls-Royce in these unprecedented times. Our engineers are continuing to ensure all our aircraft are maintained to the highest standards so they’re ready to roll out as travel restrictions are lifted.”

Global network committed to meeting individual needs

According to Dr Christopher Lobley, Rolls-Royce Chief Lifecycle Engineer, the support team at the Availability Control Centre (ACC) in Derby remains fully operational 24-7. They are working with a network of engineers across the globe and with many of the world’s major carriers to improve preservation procedures by standardising materials and introducing alternative methods to meet individual airline needs. Read more about the ACC here

Dr Lobley said: “Time spent preparing an engine for a period of extended shutdown will yield dividends when the aircraft re-enters service. Temperature and humidity are key factors, so minimising the impact of the environmental conditions is a key priority.”

Check list for preservation

In the same way that aviation is governed by procedures and check lists with the aim of ensuring safety, a similar approach applies to aircraft when they are on the ground, especially for an extended period. So too for when they return to the skies.

Basic steps for engine preservation include the correct installation of inlet and exhaust covers, which prevent windmilling, the ingress of sand or animals, and potential foreign object damage. Applying these procedures for regular engine running will also help to combat the effect of moisture penetration into engine components including the oil and fuel systems. Longer-term preservation, for six months or more, requires engines to be prepared and then fully wrapped in polythene and sealed. Then extra measures and checks are put in place to deal with humidity, these include desiccant bags within the sealed powerplant and also protective additives for the fuel and oil systems.

Cloud-based tech enables risk mitigation

Central to the success of our customer care strategy for engine preservation and de-preservation is a clear understanding of individual needs based upon dialogue and feedback we have acquired. Peter Breitzmann, Head of Services Engineering at Rolls-Royce North America, said: “Communication with our customers is critical at any time, but given the current practical constraints, having a clear plan which is delivered and monitored through cloud-based technology is essential. This enables our three-stage approach covering Parking, Managing Parking, and Return to Flight phases. All of this is carefully monitored to mitigate risk of compliance using our proprietary Engine Preservation Dashboard”.

The dashboard is informed by data drawn from Cirium, iAuditor, Maximo, and EHM packages which in turn illuminates traffic light alerts reflecting an engine’s maintenance needs. This informs an Action Plan where engineering service interventions can be brought to life around the world.

New collaborative work practices made possible through IntelligentEngine vision

Wherever aircraft are currently parked and for whatever duration, we have established an efficient solution for engine inspections and customer care. Extraordinary times have called for increasing and evolving the use of the new digital tools we had already pioneered as part of the IntelligentEngine vision.

Many businesses have had a steep learning curve in identifying methods to allow successful remote working, but we had already been using a new collaboration tool where still pictures and video imagery from a probe inside the engine can be shared between a customer and our engineering teams. It is ideal for times when one of our specialist Rolls-Royce engineers cannot be on site, allowing customers to continue to benefit from our teams’ expertise remotely.

Whilst it is difficult to predict when airlines will fully return to the skies, our dedicated engineers both at the ACC and in the company’s network of Customer Regional Teams remain fully accessible throughout. The same level of support will remain on hand to offer guidance on the critical issue of engine de-preservation and re-entry into service once conditions allow.