Overhaul vs. Upgrade

Economics PT6A

Overhaul costs of turbine engines vary widely, depending on age, hours, cycles, and usage. You cannot know what the cost will be until the engine is apart, and then you are past the point of no-return.

Each overhaul tends to cost more than the previous one because more components hit cycle limits or exceed wear limits.

PT6A-20 and -41 engines are a bigger risk, because some components may not be available.

What you get with an Overhaul

If you overhaul your engine, you still have a lot of old components turning high RPM at very high temperatures. These engines are built to last, but should we ask them to run for 25 years or more?

Most modification aircraft have changed hands a few times, and we have limited information on how they were operated or maintained by previous owners.

You could tell the overhaul shop to replace everything, but that would cost more than a Silverhawk Conversion and it would still perform like an old engine.

What you get with the Silverhawk Conversion

  • Peace of Mind that comes with a pair of brand new engines and props.
  • Safety due to the generous margins of the PT6A engine and performance at high altitudes, hot temperatures or with the ice vanes deployed.
  • Comfort in the ability to climb quickly out of icing or turbulence and cruise in clear skies.
  • Performance to go higher, further and faster than you ever thought possible.
  • Value in the marketplace. Look in your favorite aircraft listing at the prices of converted airplanes. Owners are getting their money back, and upgraded airplanes sell quickly.