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

Western Aircraft&nbsp; (Booth 2331) in Boise, Idaho, is joining Rolls-Royce’s global network of authorized service centers (ASCs). The facility, which is part of the Greenwich Aero Group, will support BR710A1/C4 and Tay 611-8/8C engines under the manufacturer’s CorporateCare program for business aircraft operators.
Rolls-Royce (Booth 1833) now has more than 75 ASCs worldwide, and these facilities are backed up by the UK-based group’s On-Wing Service specialists based in strategic hubs in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-10-10/rolls-royce-taps-new-technology-support-high-engine-utilization">company</a> also has spare parts and lease engine storage locations around the world.
“With more than 3,600 Rolls-Royce powered aircraft in service today, we are the leading engine supplier in business aviation, and our customers trust us to deliver outstanding in-service support,” said Andy Robinson, senior v-p for business aviation services. “Our&nbsp;collaboration with the world’s most experienced maintenance providers ensures industry-leading service levels for our growing global CorporateCare customer base.”
Next year, the new Pearl 700 engines will enter service on the G700, Gulfstream’s latest long-range aircraft. According to Rolls-Royce, the new turbofans have now logged more than 8,000 test cycles and 3,000 testing hours on 2,000 flights as it prepares for type certification.
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<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="Rolls-Royce Pearl 700" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="186dc2e5-8611-4a14-80c2-3cc935365efb" src="/sites/default/files/r_r_1503_13x18_copy.jpg" width="1800" height="1300" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">Rolls-Royce's Pearl 700 engine will power Gulfstream's new G700. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)</figcaption>
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During the test campaign, which started in February 2020, engineers have worked to demonstrate the reliability and performance of the Pearl 700 under extreme conditions, including cold start temperatures in which fuel viscosity is comparable to honey. The engines have also been evaluated in hot conditions, as well as completing long, high-power endurance runs on the G700 and running on sustainable aviation fuel.
The Pearl 700 combines Rolls-Royce’s Advance2 engine core with a new low-pressure system that the company says delivers an 8 percent increase in takeoff thrust at 18,250 pounds compared to the BR725 engine, which powers the Gulfstream G650. It is also expected to provide an efficiency improvement of 5 percent. This is based on its blisked fan, high-pressure compressor with a 24:1 ratio and six blisked stages, an ultra-low emissions combustor, two-stage shroudless high-pressure turbine, and an enhanced four-stage low-pressure turbine.
“Seeing the Pearl 700 program running at such a fast pace makes me really proud of the team behind it,” commented Rolls-Royce business aviation director Dirk Geisinger. “The pioneering technology and the outstanding performance of the Pearl 700 supports Gulfstream’s business aircraft in reaching new standards for the top end of the ultra-long-range corporate jet market.”
Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce's engineering team is also developing the new Pearl 10X turbofan. This variant will power Dassault's latest Falcon 10X, which is set to compete with both the G700 and Bombardier's Global 7500, when it <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-05-06/dassault-aims-high-and-long-falcon-10x">enters service in 2025</a>.

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