Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Rolls-Royce says it is more than doubling scheduled maintenance intervals for Trent 1000 engines with the launch of a pair of durability enhancement packages. On Thursday, the manufacturer announced that the upgrade is now available for retrofit at maintenance centers worldwide, having been incorporated into new-build turbofans for Boeing’s 787 widebody airliners since January.
The improvements have been a major undertaking for Rolls-Royce, which has been under pressure from multiple Dreamliner operators that have faced service interruptions, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. The specific maintenance intervals vary significantly according to the flying profile of each operator.
According to Rolls-Royce, the upgraded components used to extend time-on-wing have been used since 2022 on the Trent 7000 engine (which powers the Airbus A330neo) and, in some cases, are tripling maintenance intervals. The UK-based group is investing £1 billion ($1.3 billion) in the durability enhancement program, which also applies to the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2024-07-20/trent-engine-upgrades-cover-fuel-efficiency-and-reliability">Trent XWB-84</a> and the XWB-97 engines for the A350 aircraft. Earlier this year, it said it aims to double its time-on-wing targets from an average 40% increase across fleets to 80% by 2027.
The first phase of the program includes a 40% increase in cooling for the Trent 1000’s new high-pressure turbine blades. It also covers updates to the combustion system, fuel spray nozzles, and engine electronic controller software.
Phase two of the package is now being tested at Rolls-Royce’s facility in Derby, UK, and is expected to result in a further 30% improvement in time-on-wing for Trent 1000 when it starts entering service from early 2026. It covers advanced coating on combustor tiles to prevent damage in “non-benign environments,” as well as cooling and coating changes to high-pressure nozzle guide vanes, weight reduction and coating improvements to high-pressure blades, and a redesigned combustor-to-turbine interface based on the latest Trent XWB-84 EP engine.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Rolls-Royce Launches Trent 1000 Engine Durability Enhancements for 787s

Manufacturer says maintenance intervals could more than double

The first phase of durability enhancement packages for Rolls-Royce’s Trent 1000 engines powering the Boeing 787 is now being installed at maintenance centers.

Rolls-Royce Launches Trent 1000 Durability Enhancements

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News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

New facilities represent an investment of more than $1 billion

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Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

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