Fast track: Maintaining engine nacelles
Collins Aerospace has reached a new five-year agreement with Air New Zealand to maintain and repair the nacelles, or engine housings, of the airline’s widebody and narrowbody aircraft.
Here are some highlights of that deal – and a look at how Collins, an RTX business, is helping return aircraft to service more quickly.
“This agreement builds on our commitment to deliver for our customers, with efficient maintenance that enables greater reliability and gets planes back in the air faster. ”
PJ Titone | Vice President and General Manager, Aerostructures | Collins Aerospace
About the fleet
The agreement covers Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, and it comes at a time when those aircraft are approaching what’s known as their “mid-life refresh phase,” when they receive a complete refurbishment.
Air New Zealand operates 14 Dreamliner aircraft, at an average age of 9.3 years. The 787’s mid-life refresh phase usually occurs around 10 to 12 years.
Thrust reverser repair
One key feature of the agreement has to do with the maintenance of thrust reversers, the engine-mounted devices that push exhaust forward to help planes slow down when they land.
Typically, thrust reversers – which undergo high levels of physical stress – are repaired “on condition,” or without a set schedule. Under the agreement, Collins will refurbish them proactively during nacelle maintenance – a measure that prevents what could otherwise be costly and time-consuming repairs.
Additionally, that work will take place at the same time as heavy maintenance checks on other parts of the aircraft.
A worldwide network
The agreement will also draw upon Collins’ access to the world’s largest network of rotable assets, or high-value parts that are refurbished and returned to service. That network makes it possible to ship rotables within two hours of request.
Most of the work covered in the agreement will take place at a facility in Singapore known as GASCA, or the Goodrich Aerostructures Service Center Asia. That facility, a joint venture between Collins and SIA Engineering Company, serves more than 100 airlines in the Asia-Pacific region.
