MTU’s GTF Maintenance Turn Times Improve

GTF maintenance turn times are improving at MTU. The Pratt & Whitney GTF requires a complete off-wing overhaul to correct problems with contaminated materials in additively manufactured engine parts. The large number of aircraft out of service is tracking to predictions by P&W, and the program is well underway. One way to improve the situation is to reduce the turnaround time

required for an overhaul. MRO facilities worldwide are looking at how to return aircraft to customers as quickly as possible to minimize disruptions.

MTU, a partner on the GTF engine, is undertaking about 40% of the scheduled overhauls for the problem engines and is working diligently to reduce the turn-time for an overhaul.  MTU is targeting a 100-day turn-time for 2024 and has had a few overhauls in its Hannover facility below that level.

While goals for 2025 and 2026 have not been established, the turn time for an overhaul of the GTF’s predecessor, the V2500, was, according to media reports, about 60 days in 2019.  Given supply chain issues that continue to plague the industry, whether that can be achieved over the next two years is unknown. However, the faster the turn time, the lower the impact on the program and airline compensation payments.  With MTU, a 22% risk-sharing partner in the program, every improvement in efficiency drops to the bottom line.