Goodrich rolls out new plans for support

Customers are currently offered a repair service on EECs fitted to the Trent 700 (A330), Trent 800 (Boeing 777) and Trent 500 (growth versions of the A340). But the three latest members of the Trent family are already being eyed by Goodrich for future expansion of its Dubai business.

Joel Haldemann, vice president Europe, Middle East and Africa MRO for Goodrich customer services, said: “It’s definitely our intent to support these new programmes as they come into service. We’re working closely with our customers and our links with Rolls-Royce are well known.” 

Of the three additional variants, only one – the Trent 900 on the A380 – is yet in service. The longer-term targets are the Trent 1000 (Boeing 787) and the Trent XWB, which remains the sole engine offered on the A350 XWB.

“Obviously, each customer has a choice of MRO centre. Our commitment is to provide the best locally available service. We have a good level of activity and long-term commitment with Emirates on the Rolls fleet,” added Haldemann, who also identified Qatar Airways as a significant customer. 

Advances in diagnostics are one of the key reasons for the latest shifts towards EEC repair. “The new generation of test rigs offers more sophisticated methods of defining the cause of failures,” said Haldemann.

Opened in 2007, the 115,000sq ft Goodrich MRO campus is located alongside the Jebel Ali International Airport development. It already offers a full range of MRO services for components and systems for both commercial and military aerospace customers across the region. Products covered include engine accessories, nacelle systems, cargo handling equipment, sensors, inlet and fan cowls, thrust reversers, de-icing systems, evacuation slides, hoists and winches. In addition to its MRO capabilities, the facility also delivers asset stocking and management services, which support aircraft on ground (AOG) and other critical requirements.

These latest developments further strengthen the existing ties between Goodrich and Rolls-Royce, which include the formation of a joint venture, announced last December, to develop and supply engine controls for Rolls powerplants.

The 50/50 joint venture, officially titled Rolls-Royce Goodrich Engine Control Systems Ltd, is operating under the title of Aero Engine Controls. It combines Goodrich’s existing UK-based engine controls design and manufacturing business with Rolls’ expertise in the integration of controls into the engine. Goodrich will retain the aftermarket and services business associated with the joint venture’s products.

Aero Engine Controls is already involved as an industrial partner in the Rolls-led Environmentally Friendly Engine (EFE) demonstrator programme funded by a combination of UK public and private sector finance.