Questions and Answers about Re-engining Your Aircraft:
With all the recent activity in the light jet market, the options and the questions seem to be growing at an almost exponential rate. Drawing on many years of experience in the Citation overhaul and upgrade market, we’ve tried to answer some of the most common questions below:
What are the advantages of re-engining a used Citation vs. purchasing a new light jet?
First of all, saving money. For a lower cost than a new VLJ like Cessna’s Mustang, Sierra's re-engined Citation 500/501SP or 550/S550 offers substantially greater range, carrying capacity, and speed. In fact, many of the performance numbers are comparable to light jets costing more than twice as much. Nearly all other light jets in this price range offer significantly smaller cabins, shorter range and less speed. In some cases, they are nothing more than “powerpoint planes” that have yet to make an actual delivery.
Second, performance. Both the Eagle II and Stallion offer dramatic improvements in overall performance for the Citation I (much greater range and cruising speed, with climb-to-altitude times cut in half or better!). The Citation II and S-II-based Super II and Super S-II offer full FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) engine controls, providing a quieter cabin and increased reliability, as well as contributing to shorter takeoff and landing distances. Of course, they also offer increased speed, range, climb performance and efficiency.
Third, economy. The state-of-the-art third generation engine technology in the Williams FJ44 cuts overall fuel consumption by as much as 25% to 40%, while still providing the improved speed, range and reliability mentioned above.
How fast will it be? How far will it go? How much will it cost?
Download our FJ44 brochure to learn more about performance and cost compared to other Cessna light jets. Our Google Maps-enabled interactive range map lets you easily compare range with competitive aircraft anywherein the world. For cost of operation and pricing information, please use the navigation links on the right side of this page.
How long does an FJ44 re-engining modification take?
Despite the complexity of Sierra's FJ44 re-engining, the Stallion, Super II and Super S-II down time for the modification can be performed in less than 8 weeks. Many of our customers take advantage of the short down time by refurbishing the paint, interior and avionics as well, resulting in a virtually “brand new” aircraft.
The Sierra FJ44 Eagle II modification, which adds the classic Eagle wing modification and increased fuel capacity to the FJ44 re-engining, can add another 10 - 12 weeks to the modification time.
What about my existing aircraft engines?
The prevailing wisdom in the aviation community has long been that the best time to upgrade your engines is at TBO, when the old engines are “maxed out.” This old paradigm is overdue for a change,.
When an owner reaches TBO on his engines, he has several choices available – overhauling, engine leasing, or purchasing time-remaining engines. Of these choices, overhauling is the least desirable. Overhauling is very expensive (sometimes over $500,000 each), fraught with risk and price variability (the quote might be $175,000, but the final bill is $475,000), and subjects the owner to extensive down time. Even when the cost per hour is significantly higher, owners often choose time-remaining engines, as the up-front cost is much lower, there is no price variability and the gratification is immediate.
Due partly to Sierra’s successful FJ44 re-engining programs, there are increasing numbers of high-time used Pratt & Whitney JT15D engines in the marketplace, driving down the value of TBO engines. Another contributing factor is a sharp decline in the number of JT15D overhauls being performed by approved P&W facilities. This is having a predictable effect on the market, with the supply of ready-to-overhaul engines outstripping demand and driving down prices.
Operators who expect to wait until TBO before having their aircraft re-engined will likely see lower core values, increased difficulty selling or trading their engines, and more hassle and expense finding facilities to overhaul their old engines.
The most attractive option of all is not to wait, but to schedule your
aircraft for Sierra’s FJ44 re-engining while your existing engines still have remaining time and decent core value. In addition to the financial advantages, you and your passengers could be enjoying the speed, comfort and efficiency benefits of an FJ44-powered aircraft NOW, rather than waiting on your old engines to reach TBO.
When can I schedule a demonstration flight?
Please fill out our demo request form or email us for more information.
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