Engine operators wishing to enrol in Pratt & Whitney Canada’s (P&WC) industry leading Eagle Serviceâ„¢ Plan (ESP Program) will no longer face minimum flying hour requirements. At a media briefing held during the National Business Aviation Association’s 63rd annual meeting and convention (NBAA) in Atlanta, Georgia, Raffaele Virgili, Vice President, Customer Service, announced P&WC has eliminated the ESP Program’s minimum annual operating hour requirements, making it easier for customers to sign up. P&WC is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE:UTX).

“Eliminating the annual minimum hour requirement makes our popular ‘pay-by-the-hour’ plan more accessible, and attractive, to a wider base of operators,” explained Virgili. “We had terrific feedback from customers in response to us waiving the minimum annual utilization requirement for 2009 flying hours. We are now delighted to remove this requirement altogether, for both currently enrolled operators and for new operators joining the ESP Program.”

John Quinn, director of maintenance at Chantilly Air, Inc., said that he welcomes the change. “I think this shows Pratt & Whitney Canada’s commitment and dedication to its ESP Program customers,” stated Quinn, who has been a loyal customer for seven years. “The company has taken a terrific program that helps me manage costs and down time and made it better by eliminating the requirement for minimum flying hours.”

The ESP Program offers P&WC engine operators a complete range of maintenance coverage depending on the level selected: Gold, Silver, Gold Lite, or Silver Lite. Basic coverage includes both parts and shop labour for scheduled engine overhaul/refurbishment and hot section inspection; basic unscheduled engine and line replaceable unit (LRU)/accessory maintenance; and required product support improvements at shop visits. Other benefits include rental engine support for covered events, Engine Condition Trend Monitoring (ECTM), and a labour allowance for trouble shooting, among others.

“We know that it has become increasingly difficult for some operators to maintain a consistent level of aircraft utilization and this change makes the ESP Program more accessible,” Virgili noted. “Participation in the ESP Program eliminates the risk of cost surprises, ensuring budgeted and predictable maintenance costs through monthly payments on a per-engine flight hour basis. It’s a great way for our engine operators to protect their investment and is fully transferable.”

P&WC is celebrating the 21st anniversary of its ESP Program this year, with more than 1,000 operators and 3,000 engines enjoying its benefits.

“At Chantilly Air, we have enjoyed the ‘no hassle’ benefits of making one phone call to CFirst or to a Field Support rep and having the problem taken care of,” concludes Quinn. “From trouble-shooting, parts procurement, scheduled maintenance and MRT support, you can not ask for a better program than the ESP Program.”

Come and see us at NBAA: Booth 2704, Hall B

Whether you operate a P&WC turbofan, turboprop or a turboshaft engine, we have the ESP Program coverage level and enrolment option that is right for you. Drop by P&WC’s booth (2704) in Hall B to speak with a customer service representative. Additional information is also available by emailing esp.admin@pwc.ca or by contacting a P&WC FSR or sales representative.

About Pratt & Whitney Canada
Founded in 1928 and a global leader in aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Canada is shaping the future of business aviation with dependable, high-technology engines. Every second, a Pratt & Whitney Canada-powered aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in the world. Pratt & Whitney Canada’s engines, with more than 500 million hours in the air, are an industry benchmark for innovative design, dispatch reliability, operating economics and easy maintenance. Pratt & Whitney Canada is firmly committed to ensuring that its products are designed, produced and operated while minimizing environmental impacts throughout their life cycle.

There are currently more than 50,000 engines in service on over 25,000 aircraft operated by some 10,000 operators in 198 countries. The most extensive support network in the industry, which includes more than 30 company-owned and designated service facilities, supports this global fleet.

Pratt & Whitney Canada has been taking front-line services to the next level ever since it launched its Customer First Centre (CFirst) in 2007. CFirst brings together a multidisciplinary and multilingual support team to resolve issues so that customers can return to service quickly. CFirst handles an average 100,000 contacts every year.

Based in Montreal, Quebec (Canada), Pratt & Whitney Canada is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE:UTX). UTC is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.