Engine Vibration Data to Transform Engine Health Monitoring, Services and Products

An unexpected inoperable aircraft is not only frustrating but can also have financial implications. Predictive maintenance is a common approach to prevent unscheduled maintenance events.

In this video, James Prater, vice president of customer support, business aviation at Rolls-Royce, speaks with Lee Ann Shay, executive editor, business aviation & MRO at Aviation Week Network, about advancements in engine health monitoring and how insights from engine vibration data have prevented operational disruption, informed new engine designs and maintenance plans and protocols.

Rolls-Royce, arguably the best in the industry for averted missed trips and AOG responses, leverages advanced predictive and diagnostic techniques with Engine Health Monitoring Vibration Units (EHMVU) to constantly monitor both engines. Collecting continuous engine data is a shift from traditional engine health monitoring systems, which only capture data at five points throughout the flight.

Monitoring engine operations throughout an entire flight has enabled Rolls-Royce to detect issues before sending a warning to the flight deck and identify trends or anomalies to address potential issues before they cause operational disruption. The manufacturer is also using this data to design engines with a focus on safety, reliability, and performance. Services protocols and more customized maintenance plans are also being designed with this data.