New Digital Tools Enable Engine Exchanges and Customization
By Pratt & Whitney Customer Service
P&WC recently launched new digital tools helping customers view the inventory of aftermarket engines and APUs for sale and exchange, and customize pre-serviced engines through the website. Learn about them below.
Providing More Information and Pricing Transparency
For customers with engines coming due for an overhaul and looking for options, or who are considering purchasing a spare engine, P&WC has rolled out several new web tools on their Engines & APUs page that make it easier and faster for them to access information about new, used and freshly overhauled engines and APUs for sale and exchange. From enhanced inventory search capabilities, to detailed life limited-part information, and the ability to customize a pre-serviced engine with additional LLP cycles, these handy tools enable customers to find the right engine and make informed buying decisions.
With approximately 100 P&WC engines and APUs listed at any given time and updated weekly with new models, the page includes various PT6A and regional turboprop, business jet and helicopter engines and APUs.
What’s more, the new features and web tools – part of P&WC’s ongoing digital transformation of its services – offer users a much more dynamic and flexible experience. Customers can easily filter their searches, get detailed information about each product, configure certain aspects of an engine to their specifications, subscribe to receive engine alerts by email, and more.
Each engine listed shows detailed LLP information as seen in the image above.
“Customers are looking for more transparency, predictability and choice, so we’ve created a more self-service, no-surprise environment for them. The specific information they need to make a decision, like the engine price or LLP cycles, is available up front.”
– David Allaire-Maheux, Director, Pratt & Whitney Canada
Overhaul Alternatives: New, Used & Freshly Overhauled Engine Exchanges
The engines and APUs on the page are available either for an outright sale or in exchange for their own time-expired engine core. The listed price is based on the customer trading in their existing engine.
For customers with engines coming due for an overhaul, an engine exchange offers and advantageous alternative. Operators can skip the engine rental process, including a removal and installation, and significantly reduce shop turnaround times. Instead, in exchange for their existing engine, P&WC provides them with a new, used or freshly overhauled engine of the same model at a competitive price.
“Aviation is a competitive environment, and budgets are tight,” says David. “Customers are looking for more affordable and operational friendly options. If your budget can’t support the global cost associated to do an overhaul or if your operations are too sensitive to potential down time, planning ahead for engine exchange should be an attractive alternate solution. We hope to increase awareness and use of this option by making the price details readily available to customers.”
Making It Possible to Customize an Engine
Another notable new feature is the ability to configure certain engines online by dynamically selecting additional cycles for LLPs. Customers can customize the core engine in advance instead of choosing one that has already been serviced. Provided exclusively for engines identified on the page with a special icon, this option is available to aviation customers for the first time ever.
“This is a big step forward for the industry. You’re not just selecting an engine anymore – you’re part of the process,” explains Mario Fuschini, Senior Manager, Business Development & Project Management, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “You can tell us specifically what you want and get it when you need it, as long as you give us enough lead time.”
“Customers can choose a pre-serviced engine, and are able to customize the additional LLP cycles. They can then start with a base that’s comfortable for them rather than settling for something out of the box.”
– Mario Fuschini, Senior Manager, Business Development & Project Management, Pratt & Whitney Canada
The page includes the option of signing up for an engine alert subscription service. Customers interested in a particular engine or APU model or family that’s not currently available can subscribe to this or they can opt to receive updates on all engine models if they choose. They’ll automatically get a notification whenever a selected model becomes available with a link to the website.
“No one else in the aviation business is putting pricing information up front. We’ve changed the mindset. We’re not afraid to lead with that, because we know our products are strong. You now know right away whether you’re interested in an engine, so it’s easier to do business.”
– David Allaire-Maheux, Director, Pratt & Whitney Canada
For another example of how P&WC is supporting customers with self-service online tools, check out a previous Airtime article, Services Hub Offers Handy Shortcut to Maintenance Solutions.
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