Methods and apparatus for isolating gas turbine engine bearings

A gas turbine engine (10) including a rotor shaft (26) includes a bearing isolation system (40) including an isolation shaft (110) and a pair of pilots (120,122). The pilots are disposed between the isolation and rotor shafts and connect the isolation shaft to the rotor shaft to form a gap (130) between the isolation and rotor shafts. The pilots are positioned axially along the rotor shaft and permit the isolation shaft to move axially with respect to the rotor shaft. Each pilot includes a plurality of openings to permit cooling air to flow within the gap defined between the isolation shaft and the rotor shaft.