PT6A-67B engine overhaul

One more thing I have learned about Pratt's overhaul interval philosophy...they treat a part on a single engine plane a  lot  different than the same part installed on a twin.   Note these overhaul intervals for the second stage power turbine (PT2) for the 67A (King Air) and the 67B (PC-12). Same horsepower and same engine for all intents and purposes (except no back-up fuel control on the 67A). Same part number, but PT2 blades have a 12,000 hr TBO on the twin and 5,000 on the single. Plus, it is the part Pratt is offering a "campaign" to encourage me to replace at 3,500 hrs. They also require a lot more test stand time for engines going on singles as opposed to twins.  I like the conservatism this shows, even if it does increase cost (about $9/hr). 

I will report one thing I have already learned...Pratt "campaigns."  From time-to-time Pratt offers discounts (they call them "campaigns" for some reason) to encourage owners to either replace certain parts earlier than required or replace parts with an upgraded version during the overhaul process.  In my case, Pratt is offering a campaign to replace my PT 2 (power turbine 2nd stage) blades with this overhaul at 3,500 hours rather than waiting until 5,000 hours when it is required in order to remain airworthy.  The PT 2 blades are highlighted below... They are offering about a 50% discount off the normal low-low price of [number which cannot be mentioned].  If my PT 2 blades pass inspection, it is not required that I change them now, but evidently Pratt has seen enough data on premature cracks that they want to encourage folks to go ahead and replace them (same part number) at 3,500 hrs rather than 5,000 hrs. While not technically a "campagin,...

I just signed on the dotted line to get my PT6A-67B engine overhauled. Levaero Aviation (a Pilatus SC in Thunder Bay, Canada) will come pick-up my trusty bird on May 15 and, assuming no major unexpected problems, deliver it back to me on July 5. Standard Aero in Winnipeg will do the actual engine overhaul while Levareo handles the engine R&R, does an annual inspection, and handles the prop overhaul (the prop overhaul also happens to be due).  I am getting an exchange prop from the factory in Germany rather than doing the actual overhaul of my prop.  Being a first run engine and having taken good care of it (trend data has been rock solid for eight years), while I expect some surprises during the overhaul, I am hoping for nothing major.  But, we shall see. Levaero could have installed a loaner engine for a relatively modest cost, but we will be out of the country during that period anyway so I plan to use the opportunity to get a tail-wheel endorsement and do som...