Frequently Ask Questions about the Challenger Spares & Support ALF502 Engine Program (CSSEP)

Q. How does CSSEP differ from other engine programs?
A.  All other programs are simply engine insurance programs with their premiums determined by the number of hours each engine is operated. If it is a used aircraft there will also be the buy-in cost and some programs have a minimum requirement of 250 flight hours per year per engine whether the aircraft is flown or not, a fact not always mentioned during contract negotiations.  Existing engine programs may require a minimum of $450.00 per hour, per engine equaling $900.00 per aircraft flight hour. That is a grand total of $2,250,000.00 for 2500 hours of the aircraft engines operating time, the time between required Hot Section Inspections.

Q. Does CSSEP cover scheduled or unscheduled maintenance, Overhauls, Hot Sections, Service Bulletins and Airworthiness Directives?
A.  Most if not all of the ALF 502L engines are following the On-Condition Engine Maintenance Program and require only a Major Periodic Inspection (MPI) every 2000/2500 flight hours, depending on Modification Status. The scheduled line maintenance events such as 100/300 hour, visual inspections, oil filter changes and chip detector inspections require about 100 man-hours per engine between Major Periodic Inspections – using the shop rate of $125 per hour X 200 man-hours = approximately $25,000 for the inspections for both engines between the scheduled MPI. Due to the maturity of these engines very few Service Bulletins and Airworthiness Directives are being issued and when one is, it is usually required to be accomplished during the next access – normally at the MPI.
 
Q. Other programs cover you for replacement of time-limited components.  What about CSSEP?
A. CSSEP engine parts are discounted well below the OEM price. Most of the rotating life limited components have a life limit of 50,000 hours. These parts will most likely not need or require replacement for decades to come and most likely will exceed the service life of the aircraft itself.

Q. What about catastrophic engine failures?
A. Catastrophic failures are usually pro-rated utilizing various formulas. Catastrophic failures are a rarity now due to the maturity of the engine and the modifications that have been incorporated. Most catastrophic failures now are usually the result of foreign object damage (FOD) and are covered by the aircraft insurance.

Q. How are loaner engines handled?
A. Most programs provide (so called) loaners, but you continue to pay the contracted hourly rate for hours flown.  So it is not really a loaner engine, but a rental. CSSEP has rental engines available on a priority basis for our engine program customers. The hourly rate charged is historically less than if renting from other sources.

Q. Does CSSEP cover trouble shooting on engine problems?
A.  CSSEP has on staff one of the most experienced (over 25 years) experts on the ALF502 engine. His technical support services are offered at no charge by CSSEP.

Q. Some people think that the other programs give buyers a piece of mind when buying a Challenger 600 and CSSEP will only confuse buyers.
A. There is no confusion, CSSEP offers a program that controls operator’s expenses in operating the ALF502 engine versus paying a large sum to someone else to use until it is needed. In today’s market place you have to be able to invest your money as you see fit, not to give to an insurance company to give back to you only what is required (in maintenance & materials) which will be considerably less than paid in.

Q. The existing programs are the most recognized programs in the industry, why should I do different?
A. True, the other programs supporting the ALF502 are highly recognized in the industry. They were implemented in the early days of this engine entering corporate service with a very troubled start. After the engines matured with the new improvements they no longer have a history of major failures, so why continue to pay monies into something that has outlived its benefit?

Q. A better part of the Challenger 600’s are on existing programs?
A. Challenger 600’s are defecting from existing programs as the aircraft value decreases and the engine program costs continue to increase. Calculate to see how reducing the engine operating cost by $900 per hour will enhance the resale value of the aircraft.

Q. What additional benefits are realized from CSSEP?
A. CSSEP not only covers discounts on the engines but also provides discounts on all the engine pod items & all airframe and APU components. This is actually a benefit that could equal the engine program in overall operating savings. Take note of the following list of components the programs cover.

Components covered by other engines programs or listed below.

• Fan  & Main Frame Assembly
• Gas Producer
• Fuel Control
• Gear Box
• Heat Exchanger
• Exciter Boxes
• Oil Lines
• Bleed Band Actuator

Components covered by the CSSEP cost containment program are listed below and are components of the complete engine pod. The additional components(*) that are attached to the engine are not part of the other engine programs.  This usually blind side’s owner with unexpected costs when these components need repair, overhaul or exchange.   CSSEP’s cost containment program provides:   

• Fan  & Main Frame Assembly * Engine Inlet cowling * Upper Outer Cowling * Lower Outer Cowling
• Gas Producer  * Core Cowlings * Ring Segments * Fire Loops  * Exhaust Nozzle 
• Fuel Control * Fuel Motive Flow Pump *  Main Engine Fuel Lines * Fuel Flow Transmitter
• Gear Box * Integrated Drive Generator * Hydraulic Pumps *Air Starters
• Heat Exchanger * Fan Bypass Cowlings * Bleed Air Lines * Y Duct
• Exciter Boxes * Engine Mounts * Skirt Panel * Thrust Reversers * Power Drive Units * Ball Screw Actuators * Blocker Doors  
• Oil lines * Air frame Interface Hardware * Engine Oil and Hydraulic Lines 
• Bleed Band Actuator * Air Start Valves * Bleed Air Valves * Check Valves * Pressure Switches