P&W Engines Winter 2007

• Intelli-Conference May 15 in Battle Creek, Michigan
• PW500 Series Engine Hydromechanical Fuel Control
• PW500 Series Engine Oil System Servicing

PW500 Series Engine Oil System Servicing

— Ken Kuchenreuther

Pratt & Whitney recently issued a Service Information Letter relating to servicing of the PW500 series engine oil system. Evidently some in-flight shut-downs have occurred because of an engine over service condition. Never service the engine after it has been inactive for a period of time without motoring the engine first per the instructions in the maintenance manual.

Check engine for oil leakage and repair as necessary. It is recommended that you check the engine oil level on the outboard sight glass 10 minutes after engine shut down. If the oil is visible between “min” and “max,” service it to the middle of the sight gage, then correctly install serviceable oil filler cap assembly per the Maintenance Manual. If oil is not visible in the outboard sight glass 10 minutes after shutdown, fill oil to the “min” mark, motor engine for 30 seconds. After a 10-minute wait period, recheck the oil. If it is between the “min” and “max” marks, service it to the middle of the sight gage, then correctly install serviceable oil filler cap assembly per the Maintenance Manual.

Also, we do not recommend that you mix different types or brands of oil. If you have questions, please contact me at 800.525.2676 ext. 8486.

PW500 Series Engine Hydromechanical Fuel Control

— Ken Kuchenreuther

Pratt & Whitney issued Service Bulletin 30309 on June 12, 2006. It was revised on July 27, 2006 and again on August 21, 2006 to the current level of Revision 2. Revision 2 added the PW530A engine Fuel Control Unit (FCU). The bulletin applies to all PW530A engines, PW535A engines SN DC0344 and older, PW545A engines SN DB0769 and older and PW545B engines SN DD0347 and older. Check your FCU part number and compare it with the Service Bulletin upgrade part number to make sure it isn’t already accomplished. The problem is that the ball bearing-ball retainer may wear prematurely, possibly allowing balls to move out of position. A new ball bearing-ball retainer with improved wear resistance has been introduced in Service Bulletin 30309.

Pratt & Whitney also has a Commercial Support Program Notification 1001189R02 offering financial support for operators of PW530A/ PW535A /PW545A engines (PW545B not included) that wish to take advantage of up to six upgrades on their FCUs, one being Service Bulletin 30309. This support expires on December 31, 2007. It was originally thought that if you send in the FCU and it was under the first run warranty period, there were no charges. This, however, is not correct. We found out recently that there are no charges only if the FCU fails during the first run warranty period.

When you are just sending in the FCU for the purpose of incorporating the modifications and you have less than 2500 hours, the price is $18,000 per FCU at this time. Price is pro-rated between 2500 and 5000 hours.

If you would like more information, please contact me at:

Intelli-Conference May 15 in Battle Creek, Michigan

Our Intelli-Conferences will continue this year as we unveil our expansion in Battle Creek. These symposiums are a natural extension of the Duncan Intelligence publications and are your chance to discuss aviation issues with knowledgeable industry professionals in a face-to-face forum.

The May 15, 2007, event will feature six unique sessions, four of which are approved for IA renewal credit. We will be giving tours of the remodeled and expanded facility and will wrap up the event with our signature dinner experience. Look for more information on our website and in the mail soon!

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