Operators Enrolled in Maintenance Service Plan May Qualify for Free Upgrade

Honeywell is offering a “Conditional Upgrade” that will provide a free parts kit to some operators of business jets to convert their Honeywell TFE731-2 engines to TFE-731-2C engines with improved reliability and durability. The conditional upgrade is available to TFE731-2 operators that are enrolled in Honeywell’s Maintenance Service Plan (MSP). Owners of Learjet models 31, 35 and 36 and Falcon 10 and 100 business aircraft may be eligible for the no-charge kit.

There are approximately 800 of the above listed aircraft with TFE731-2 engines. Parts kits (labor not included) for the –2C upgrade have a 2003 price of $152,000 per engine for operators not enrolled in Honeywell’s MSP. Aircraft owners enrolled in MSP may purchase the –2C upgrade parts kits (labor not included) for a reduced price for 2003 of $85,000 each.

But now, some MSP operators may qualify for the Conditional Upgrade (CU) program, which provides the parts kit (labor not included) at no charge, if they meet one of the following criteria:

• Engines are approaching scheduled Core Zone Inspection (CZI), 
• Engines currently requiring unscheduled core maintenance, or 
• Engines currently requiring extensive replacement of “Hot Section” hardware.

Honeywell’s MSP organization will evaluate each case to determine if the aircraft qualifies for the CU program. If the customer accepts a free –2C kit under the CU Program, the customer will retain their current MSP rate structure.

As an alternative, a customer on MSP can pay the MSP participant price of $85,000 per engine for the parts kits and receive a new five-year contract at the lower TFE731–2C rate of $128.98 per hour per engine.

A –2C engine upgrade gives operators improved reliability and durability associated with the components replaced, improved operability through engine temperature margins for takeoff, climb and cruise phases of flight. The upgrade reduces cost of ownership through extended maintenance intervals, reduced scheduled and unscheduled maintenance costs, and enhanced aircraft residual value. Since the –2C Upgrade program was released to the field in May 1998, over 200 engines installed on Falcon 10/100 and Learjet 31/35/36 aircraft platforms have been modified.

Operators should contact a Honeywell Authorized TFE731 Service Center in advance of their upcoming scheduled CZI maintenance, or at the time of their actual maintenance, to determine if their engine(s) qualify for the –2C Conditional Upgrade program.

FMI: www.honeywell.com, steven.gomez@honeywell.com