Commercial aircraft engines are very, very heavy. Those found on short-haul planes, for example, weigh on average 4,400 lbs (2,000 kg), those on long-hauls are four times heavier. For their installation on an aircraft they first have to be positioned, to the nearest millimetre under the engine pilons, before lifting them into place. This is an operation which requires a dozen or so technicians and positioning by laser.
Bruno Hernandez, Head of A350 XWB Programme developments - Airbus: interview in the video.
Once lifted, the engine can finally be fixed, bolted tight to the engine pylon. This is called Torquing. And you don’t have to believe me, but they haven’t found anything more effective than the use of big bolts.
Bruno Hernandez, Head of A350 XWB Programme developments - Airbus: interview in the video.
The attachment of an engine, on average, takes six hours. Mistakes are absolutely out of the question since an airliner’s engines represent up to 30% of the catalogue price of the aircraft, and remain in service for around 20 years.
