QFA220 engine problem rumour

[Capt_SNAFU]

QF1287 on 04/07 was VH-X4A last flight. Rumours of an engine problem. Any info from the CBR refueller?

Just over a month on line.

[aussieflyboy]

Probably a good thing as that’ll enable them to catch up on training their crew.

Paying only A$224K (US$146K) before tax a year for a training captain on a 71 Tonne Jet wouldn’t encourage many applications I’d imagine.

[compressor stall]

No idea about QF but did see a reference re global engine shortages on 220s somewhere else on the planet.

[dragon man]

https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/VHX4A

Where there is smoke there well may be fire in this case by the look of it.

[dragon man]

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1195x1584/img_7524_8276fe4ac2a065280dabf58aaaab55095e8cad68.jpeg
Is that the aircraft?

[gordonfvckingramsay]

QF1287 on 04/07 was VH-X4A last flight. Rumours of an engine problem. Any info from the CBR refueller?

Just over a month on line.

Haven’t they been nursing these engines already?

[MickG0105]

...
Just over a month on line.
How do you figure that? -X4A was delivered late last year wasn't it?

[dragon man]

https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/03/first-commercial-qantaslink-a220-flight-touches-down-in-canberra/


Looks like just over a month on line to me.

[MickG0105]

https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/03/first-commercial-qantaslink-a220-flight-touches-down-in-canberra/


Looks like just over a month on line to me.
That might have been the first fare-paying flight but -X4A has been flying pretty much five days a week since the start of the year.

[dragon man]

That might have been the first fare-paying flight but -X4A has been flying pretty much five days a week since the start of the year.


It may have however the thread starter said a month on line.

[dragon man]

The information I have is the airframe and therefore engine has approx 300 hours on it. If it is an engine failure/removal that’s not very good from new.

[gordonfvckingramsay]

If you google ‘A220 engine problems’, you’ll see a list of articles about the engine issues. 300 odd hours is not good enough though.

[Going Nowhere]

I believe there have been several sectors cancelled over the last week due to Tech Crew Sickness

[MickG0105]

It may have however the thread starter said a month on line.
We clearly have different understandings of what the phrase "on line" means. Engines and airframes tend to be unable to distinguish between revenue and non-revenue hours.

[aussieflyboy]

I believe there have been several sectors cancelled over the last week due to Tech Crew Sickness

Project Zero

[Lead Balloon]

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1195x1584/img_7524_8276fe4ac2a065280dabf58aaaab55095e8cad68.jpeg
Is that the aircraft?Amazing GT and the media aren’t on to this. You can clearly see a groundie pumping what I reckon is Tetrazine into the Turbo Encabulator. Typical 220 engine problem.

[soseg]

Wouldn’t have happened if it was flown by SH.

[dr dre]

X4A operated a MEL-CBR flight today, so whatever problem existed has been sorted.

The problems with the P&W GTF engines had to do with ones were manufactured from 2016-2020 before the “Block D” upgrade, which has solved most of the issues and presumably is incorporated into all
new build engines:

https://airinsight.com/pratt-whitney-reaches-turning-point-with-gtf-in-may/

[gordonfvckingramsay]

X4A operated a MEL-CBR flight today, so whatever problem existed has been sorted.

The problems with the P&W GTF engines had to do with ones were manufactured from 2016-2020 before the “Block D” upgrade, which has solved most of the issues and presumably is incorporated into all
new build engines:

https://airinsight.com/pratt-whitney-reaches-turning-point-with-gtf-in-may/

Positioning for replacement, it won’t fly for a while now.

[dr dre]

Positioning for replacement, it won’t fly for a while now.

Nope, check FR24, it just got airborne 5 minutes ago out of CBR on the return revenue service back to MEL.

[gordonfvckingramsay]

Nope, check FR24, it just got airborne 5 minutes ago out of CBR on the return revenue service back to MEL.

Oh dear. That’s concerning following what I was told.

[Going Nowhere]

Positioning for replacement, it won’t fly for a while now.
It’s actually been doing RPT sectors all afternoon.

[bobbelmore]

Oh dear. That’s concerning following what I was told.


Doesn’t fit your agenda?

[pinkpanther1]

Wouldn’t have happened if it was flown by SH.

Please tell me you're kidding?

[DirectAnywhere]

Shouldn’t this thread be in the GA section?

[soseg]

Please tell me you're kidding?

Triggered boomer.

[gordonfvckingramsay]

Doesn’t fit your agenda?

If you’re suggesting I’m bashing the operator, you’re well off the mark. My only ‘agenda’, if I must have one, would be to put it out there that P&W have unleashed a power plant that has given a bunch of airlines around the world a real headache. It makes you ponder how an engine that has to be nursed every day was ever certified. If this problem cropped up after several thousand hours of operation, it could be deemed unforeseen, but after 300-400??? Must have been a very special test program.

[BravoSierraLima]

I have also heard X4A (nicknamed Broccoli Dreaming) needs an engine change due to metal in the oil. Other rumours I've heard is that it was delivered with a wiring fault that triggers the anti skid warning and that X4B was delivered with 7 open MELs and has minor tech faults most days it flies. Dispatch reliability within 15 mins of STD is 96% though. Flights being cancelled due to crew shortages is confirmed. The ability to recruit up to 10 A220 experienced pilots using permanent residency has resulted in ONE successful application, who was so unrecent on the A220 they are required to do a complete type rating again. Now they are trying to recruit experienced (doesn't have to be A220) training captains using those visas.

[pinkpanther1]

Triggered boomer.

Not even close, champ ;)

[dr dre]

My only ‘agenda’, if I must have one, would be to put it out there that P&W have unleashed a power plant that has given a bunch of airlines around the world a real headache.

It makes you ponder how an engine that has to be nursed every day was ever certified. If this problem cropped up after several thousand hours of operation, it could be deemed unforeseen, but after 300-400??? Must have been a very special test program.

If you would've read the link I posted you would have seen that the P&W GTF issues were more the initial builds that are progressively being upgraded with more durable parts, better airflow cooling and EEC software updates. It'll take a few more years until all the existing engines worldwide are upgraded to the better standard, but the new build engines have the upgrade from the start. The GTF has better reliability than the V2500 at comparable stages in their lifespans

https://simpleflying.com/pratt-whitney-gtf-roadmap-explained/

As it takes 2 months to do the upgrade then whatever happened to X4A the other day was not related.

[brokenagain]

The ability to recruit up to 10 A220 experienced pilots using permanent residency has resulted in ONE successful application, who was so unrecent on the A220 they are required to do a complete type rating again. Now they are trying to recruit experienced (doesn't have to be A220) training captains using those visas.

And the smartest people in the room probably still refuse to accept that by global standards they have an extremely uncompetitive pilot contract.

[Gas Chamber]

I have also heard X4A (nicknamed Broccoli Dreaming) needs an engine change due to metal in the oil. Other rumours I've heard is that it was delivered with a wiring fault that triggers the anti skid warning and that X4B was delivered with 7 open MELs and has minor tech faults most days it flies. Dispatch reliability within 15 mins of STD is 96% though. Flights being cancelled due to crew shortages is confirmed. The ability to recruit up to 10 A220 experienced pilots using permanent residency has resulted in ONE successful application, who was so unrecent on the A220 they are required to do a complete type rating again. Now they are trying to recruit experienced (doesn't have to be A220) training captains using those visas.

try paying more. Apparently management don’t think we have any pilot shortages, so why are we allowing foreigners to fly OUR aircraft?

[snow dragon]

I have also heard X4A (nicknamed Broccoli Dreaming) needs an engine change due to metal in the oil. Other rumours I've heard is that it was delivered with a wiring fault that triggers the anti skid warning and that X4B was delivered with 7 open MELs and has minor tech faults most days it flies. Dispatch reliability within 15 mins of STD is 96% though. Flights being cancelled due to crew shortages is confirmed. The ability to recruit up to 10 A220 experienced pilots using permanent residency has resulted in ONE successful application, who was so unrecent on the A220 they are required to do a complete type rating again. Now they are trying to recruit experienced (doesn't have to be A220) training captains using those visas.

Well I’ve applied 6 months ago as a experienced Fo and so far it’s crickets from the HR dept.
Also a good friend applied for DEC and his experienced on type and crickets.
As an insight to pay year 2 Captains are on 237k usd and check airman are taking home 35k per month doing roughly 80 hrs per month where we work stateside.
With regards to engines if you don’t run them the correct way the bearings tend to seize.
Welcome to the joys of QF recruiting.
Side note we are both Australian citizens, no visa required

[Transition Layer]

Well I’ve applied 6 months ago as a experienced Fo and so far it’s crickets from the HR dept.
Also a good friend applied for DEC and his experienced on type and crickets.
As an insight to pay year 2 Captains are on 237k usd and check airman are taking home 35k per month doing roughly 80 hrs per month where we work stateside.
With regards to engines if you don’t run them the correct way the bearings tend to seize.
Welcome to the joys of QF recruiting.
Side note we are both Australian citizens, no visa required

So why are you applying to work for peanuts?

[Icarus2001]

With regards to engines if you don’t run them the correct way the bearings tend to seize.

Do you have to move the thrust levers a particular way so that the FADEC understands? :ooh:​​​​​​​

[aussieflyboy]

Well I’ve applied 6 months ago as a experienced Fo and so far it’s crickets from the HR dept.
Also a good friend applied for DEC and his experienced on type and crickets.
As an insight to pay year 2 Captains are on 237k usd and check airman are taking home 35k per month doing roughly 80 hrs per month where we work stateside.
With regards to engines if you don’t run them the correct way the bearings tend to seize.
Welcome to the joys of QF recruiting.
Side note we are both Australian citizens, no visa required

This would give you an indication of how you will be treated if you were to be employed by them.

[Bug Smasher Smasher]

Looks like X4A is now the CBR hangar queen.

[unobtanium]

engine change on a brand newie how the heck did it get etop's aproval

[pinkpanther1]

engine change on a brand newie how the heck did it get etop's aproval

Virgin's latest Max, 8ID just got an engine change less than 2 weeks into service due to an oil leak.

S**t happens, but I agree - not ideal.

[herostratus]

engine change on a brand newie how the heck did it get etop's aproval

Confirmed they have ETOPS? Did they have to operate for 12 months before receiving the approval?

[aussieflyboy]

Confirmed they have ETOPS? Did they have to operate for 12 months before receiving the approval?

The aircraft can have ‘ETOPS’ approval. QantasLink A220s do not (at the stage).

Looking at their AOC they don’t even have Low Vis, RNP-AR or International Passenger operations approval as yet.

[herostratus]

The aircraft can have ‘ETOPS’ approval. QantasLink A220s do not (at the stage).

Looking at their AOC they don’t even have Low Vis, RNP-AR or International Passenger operations approval as yet.

Yeah understood, current CASA regs require 12 months in service experience before EDTO can be granted. Was curious if Qantas had found a work around.

[soseg]

Yeah understood, current CASA regs require 12 months in service experience before EDTO can be granted. Was curious if Qantas had found a work around.

The work around is easy. Put it on the mainline AOC and give it to SH pilots.

[BravoSierraLima]

The work around is easy. Put it on the mainline AOC and give it to SH pilots.

With or without the NJS pilots and cabin crew?

[gordonfvckingramsay]

The work around is easy. Put it on the mainline AOC and give it to SH pilots.

Are you suggesting SH crew will operate the P&W engines more gently? Don’t forget, EDTO is heavily tied to engine reliability.

I do agree that ALL Qantas/Qantaslink operations should be under one ‘mainline’ operation, but that’s because I dislike the division that Alan, and now Vanessa have engendered.

[directsosij]

Keep dreaming NJS offering you a 20% pay rise is more likely to happen (and it won’t happen).

[Lapon]

Is the whole 'mainline getting A220s' line a new take on the 'Qlink getting jets' line we used to hear over a decade ago?

I mean, Qlink sort of did get jets if you reshape what Qlink is.

[aussieflyboy]

Is the whole 'mainline getting A220s' line a new take on the 'Qlink getting jets' line we used to hear over a decade ago?

I mean, Qlink sort of did get jets if you reshape what Qlink is.

Amusingly QLink will soon have more jets then SH:

NAA: 30
NJS: 29
Alliance: 21

SH: 75

[soseg]

With or without the NJS pilots and cabin crew?

With.

Bottom of mainline seniority list. Doesn’t negatively affect any current mainline pilot. In fact, it’ll create promotion.

Their current NJS captains retain commands. Their FOs get first pick on a220 commands under our AOC out of seniority. They only have enough pilots to crew maybe 15 jets. The remaining 15 or so then go to the normal bidding process for the remaining pilots. And it’ll put a big stop to the divide and conquer.

[Power]

NJS joining mainline is as delusional as the yes voters from the last NJS EBA. Whatever helps you sleep at night I guess.

[gordonfvckingramsay]

NJS joining mainline is as delusional as the yes voters from the last NJS EBA. Whatever helps you sleep at night I guess.

Still less delusional than Qantas or NJS thinking they can crew the A220. Amalgamation will solve a multitude of problems, and all it will cost is a decent contract. A small price to pay in the current climate.

Back on topic though…the engine in question is being replaced but the other engine, which will be checked for the same issue soon, is of great concern given the lack of availability of spare engines. They can’t be found for love nor money.

[aussieflyboy]

I’ve heard NJS Pilots have plenty of real life experience flying around on one engine.

[illusion]

Flying Doctor pilots have been doing it for years. What's the problem?

🤯

[VisualPurple]

X4A went mechanically U/S in Canberra this morning. Anyone got any deets on what’s broken this time?