Keeping the British Airways fleets in engines

For exposure to sophisticated, high value engineering within a fast moving operational environment, there are few places to match Powerplant.

We are responsible for managing all the engines used by the different British Airways' fleets - some 1200 in total, ranging from Auxiliary Power Units to the GE 90 used on the Boeing 777 and capable of 90,000 lb thrust.

Our main base of operations is at Heathrow, but we also have a large base at Gatwick and a Boeing 747 maintenance facility at Cardiff International Airport. These operations are supported by over 100 line maintenance stations all over the world.

Safety is our number one priority, and we currently spend around £250 million a year on the maintenance and overhaul of power units. However, this is just one side of our operation. We are also involved in the selection of new engines, the evaluation of modifications and the investigation of repairs and incidents.

The size and diversity of our fleets give us a vast amount of experience and data to draw upon, so it should come as little surprise that our engineers are often invited to participate in industry debates by airframe and engine manufacturers. At the same time we maintain close links with the regulatory authorities such as the CAA, the JAA and the FAA.

Ours is an international 24 hour a day, 365 days a year business which demands the ability to think on one's feet and work closely with everyone from pilots to equipment manufacturers. Within Powerplant there are plenty of opportunities for travel. Back home, it's not unusual to take a call from a station halfway across the world seeking advice on an engine problem.

It's not only the scale of our operation that attracts people to us, it's the sheer scope too. One of the greatest rewards on offer is the chance to manage large engine fleets at a relatively early stage in your career. Yet in whatever capacity you work, as a member of the Powerplant team you will take pride in setting and maintaining the very highest engineering standards.