Originally Posted by
KRUSTY 34
Watching Metour Pilot on YouTube about the problems with the PW1100 engines on the A320/321/220.
While not directly relevant to the Rex saga, it did highlight an interesting fact regarding the repatriation of grounded airframes. Apparently it’s not economically viable to put many parted out aircraft back into the air, especially those airframes that have experienced long term parking exposed to the elements, and we’re talking about aircraft that in some cases are less than a decade old!
At the risk of deviating from the topic at hand, it's not all about the economics of putting the aircraft back in the air, but rather the value of any GTF engine with green time has soared, and owners can just about name their price when they are leased out. There are deals being done that put the engine values above the value of the whole aircraft, so that's why you're seeing some of them being binned after seven years. There is also the issue of where most of those jets are being operated and their original lessees.
All to say that it is not copmletely analogous with Rex's situation, but they do still have the big problem ahead of how to keep the Saabs going long-term. The Fokkers that are being chopped up by other operators in this country probably speak to the pathway forward.