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What Does Power-By-The-Hour and Engine Maintenance Programs Mean In Aviation?

What Does Power-By-The-Hour and Engine Maintenance Programs Mean In Aviation?

NAFA member, Jason Zilberbrand, VREF President and CTO, discusses engine maintenance programs.

Engine maintenance programs or Power by The Hour were invented due to the low dispatch reliability of classic turbine fan jet engines. The Rolls Royce Viper, Lycoming ALF-502, Garrett 731 series of engines had massive catastrophic losses and low dispatch reliability. These programs were the manufacturer's way of offering a quasi-warranty. While not truly a warranty that most consumers are accustomed to but probably closer in relationship to a term life insurance policy. The reason being the programs all rely on the same methodology. The owner pays an agreed-to hourly rate for each hour flown for a period, most likely five years. The owner essentially writes a check every month for hours flown. This concept has basically stayed the same for the last 40 years. There are several companies today that offer coverage for older engines, and of course, every manufacturer has their own as well. Programs are now available for piston aircraft, and several helicopter manufacturers offer a PBH (Power by The Hour) program as well.

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This article was originally published by VREF on December 8, 2021.


 February 22, 2022