Engine teardown: When's the right time?
Engine teardown is a complex issue. Owners must consider the value of the engine, its parts, and the market for each. Choosing when to tear down an engine can feel like playing Russian roulette. Neelam Mathews reports . The decision whether to tear down an engine is a tough one as teardowns come at a price; labour and skills are the same as required in an overhaul. How does one decide to do a complete overhaul if the engine is over halfway towards its time between overhaul (TBO)? Among the many considerations, the owner must look at the availability of that aircraft type and its parts, and whether repair would be more cost-effective than reaping gains from serviceable parts. There is no generic answer to determine the right time for engine teardown, as each engine must be treated on its individual merits Jon Sharp, president and CEO of Engine Lease Finance Corporation (ELFC), explains his company's ‘hold or sell’ analysis: "On the one hand, we take into accou...