Bombardier, Rolls-Royce Expand Engine Health Monitoring

Bombardier and Rolls-Royce have launched what they term an enhanced aircraft engine health monitoring program for the Canadian OEM’s Global 5500 and 6500. Applicable to the Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engine that powers both twinjets, the system combines Bombardier’s Smart Link Plus predictive maintenance technology with the latter’s engine vibration and health monitoring unit (EVHMU).

According to Bombardier, this specific “advanced service offering” is a first in business aviation. Around 450 Bombardier aircraft are already flying with the Smart Link Plus service, which can now be combined with Rolls-Royce’s newly available EVHMU.

This system provides access to around 10,000 real-time engine parameters, which Bombardier v-p of customer support Anthony Cox believes will “help optimize aircraft performance and reliability while continuing to keep maintenance costs in check.”

Smart Link Plus and EVHMU are now factory-installed on all new-production Global 5500s and 6500s, with the benefits accessible via a service contract application. Some customers can also opt to have the combination retrofitted via a Bombardier Service Centre. Rolls-Royce believes the EVHMU strengthens the benefits of its existing CorporateCare Enhanced program.

According to Rolls-Royce senior v-p of services for business aviation Andy Robinson, the company’s work on cloud-based analytics, smart algorithms, and artificial intelligence continues to play an increasing role in delivering further engine health monitoring capabilities.