28 -- Aircraft Engine Warranty Services

Region 6 operates four Shorts C-23A aircraft used for smokejumper missions, each equipped with PT-6A-45R engines that were overhauled in 1998 with a 10-year service life warranty lasting through 2008. To maintain this warranty, all engine maintenance and repair must be performed exclusively by the original dealer or their authorized representatives, as any work done outside of this voids the warranty. Routine maintenance costs, such as those for hot section inspections, fall under the responsibility of the operator. Effective December 1, 2005, the agency intends to sole source engine warranty services with the original dealer to ensure compliance with warranty requirements. The contract anticipates annual expenditures ranging from $0 to $150,000 to cover these services for all four aircraft. The contract is managed by the Ochoco National Forest office within the Department of Agriculture, headquartered in Prineville, Oregon. Orrin Corak serves as the Contract Specialist and the primary point of contact for inquiries. This arrangement ensures that the aircraft engines are maintained under warranty conditions, supporting the operational readiness and safety of the smokejumper fleet.