Pratt & Whitney Canada has announced that operators who are enrolled in the company's Eagle Service Plan (ESP) Platinum pay-per-hour engine maintenance program can now benefit from insurance premium savings for their PT6E-67XP engines, which power the Pilatus PC-12 NGX. This programme is designed to simplify engine coverage, eliminate duplicate coverage and lower costs.

The ESP Platinum program for the PT6E-67XP engine covers full foreign object damage (FOD), including any wear and tear or other required repairs discovered during a FOD repair. This means customers no longer have to make a separate claim to their insurance as FOD events are typically covered through insurance policies. The collaboration between Pratt & Whitney Canada and insurers can assist operators in eliminating duplicate coverage or payments. Starr Insurance Companies is the first insurer to join with Pratt & Whitney Canada in this initiative.

“This is another example of our efforts to help operators maximise the value of their flying assets and lower their operating costs,” says John Lewis, director of customer programs, general aviation, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “The comprehensive nature of our ESP Platinum program means that customers can confidently remove duplicate coverage from their insurance policy. We hope that such collaborations will become the standard to maximise the savings benefit to our operators.”

“We're very happy to collaborate with Pratt & Whitney Canada on initiatives that deliver value to customers and streamline and simplify processes for them,” adds Kyle Sparks, senior VP of underwriting at Starr Insurance Companies' aviation division. “The ESP Platinum program is an industry-changing engine maintenance program that also provides our clients flying with these engines a way to potentially reduce their cost of coverage. Aircraft operators will appreciate participating in one of the most comprehensive plans available that provides a turnkey solution for foreign object damage events.”

Pilatus PC-12 NGX operators who are insured by Starr are eligible to receive policy coverage with or without the inclusion of engine FOD to exclude any duplicate coverage between programs.

“The comprehensive nature of ESP Platinum coverage provides a 'one-stop-shop' when it comes to FOD, allowing operators to avoid the expense of a deductible fee as well as reduce administrative burden in registering a claim and having to deal with multiple parties should they encounter FOD,” Lewis goes on to say. “And, since ESP has no minimum flying hours, you only pay for what you fly.”

ESP maintenance programs guarantee long-term engine maintenance costs through a planned and preventative approach to maximise flying time. The programs help enhance aircraft value by ensuring engines are maintained to the highest standard and they are transferable to the new owner at aircraft sale.