P&WC Begins Compressor Demo for Next Generation Regional Turboprop Engine

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has begun testing of the compressor for the next generation regional turboprop engine, a key step in the company's technology demonstrator program. The high-efficiency compressor is a core element of the new engine and the test hardware has already run to the full range of aerodynamic design points. Key engine characteristics such as component efficiency and pressure ratio will be validated by the demonstration program, bringing the best technology forward.

"The next generation turboprop engine is a totally new centerline engine that will deliver a 20 per cent improvement in fuel burn over today's fleet using the latest technologies of our next generation product families," said Richard Dussault, vice president, Marketing, P&WC. "Our new engine will deliver the economic and environmental benefits that will sustain the regional turboprop's competitive advantage for airlines serving short-haul, high-frequency routes."

P&WC's PW100 family of engines has led the regional turboprop segment since entering service more than 25 years ago. The company has more than 200 million hours of flying experience in the regional turboprop segment.

Click here to read the full press release from Pratt & Whitney Canada. 

P&WC Sees Regional Turboprop Demand Flying High for Next Decade

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) continues to see a sustained demand for regional turboprop aircraft and estimates a market for 3,000 regional turboprop aircraft in the next 20 years, with the majority of the regional aircraft in the 70 to 100 seat capacity.

"We are experiencing excellent growth in the regional turboprop market and believe demand will only increase," said Richard Dussault, vice president, Marketing, P&WC. "Deliveries of turboprops have grown steadily at P&WC since 2003. All indicators point to an acceleration of demand and we have taken the right steps to ensure that we can meet that demand in a timely manner, with products that exceed our customers' expectations."

Click here to read the full press release from Pratt & Whitney Canada. 

Pratt & Whitney Canada Bids 'Adieu' to 720B Flying Test Bed

Pratt & Whitney Canada's trusty Boeing 720B Flying Test Bed (FTB1), dubbed "Red" because of its hallmark red and white livery, ceremoniously tipped its wings during low-pass flybys over St-Hubert, Longueuil and Mirabel on May 9. The aircraft then made its way to a well-deserved retirement, and eventual permanent display, at the National Air Force Museum of Canada in Trenton, Ontario.

FTB1 - the last operational Boeing 720B in the world - made 2,444 flights for Pratt & Whitney Canada between 1985 and 2010.

Coverage:

• Last Flight For Boeing 720 (AvWeb)
• Historic Landing A Success (Trentonian)
• Historic Final Landing for Boeing 720 (Canadian Skies)
• Historic Landing in Trenton Wednesday (Belleville Intelligencer)
• More Aviation History Right Here in Montreal (Montreal Gazette)

Phenomenal! Pratt & Whitney Canada Congratulates Embraer

Embraer announced recently that it has delivered its 300th Phenom business jet, an impressive milestone for an aircraft that entered into service only in 2008. The Phenom 100 and 300 business jets are powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW617F-E and the PW535E engines, respectively.

"The success of the Embraer Phenom family of aircraft is a testament to the aircraft's appeal in this segment of the business jet market," said David Van der Wee, vice president, Marketing, P&WC. "Powered by P&WC engines specifically designed for these complimentary market segments, the Phenom delivers excellent operating value and superior environmental performance."

Click here to read Pratt & Whitney Canada's press release.

P&W President Gives 'State of the Business' Briefing

(Video Credit: AirInsight, via YouTube)

Pratt & Whitney President David Hess provided a business briefing during Pratt & Whitney Media Day on Wednesday. The overview included program highlights from Commercial Engines (including a PurePower engine update), Military Engines, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Pratt & Whitney Power Systems.

Coverage:

• Pratt & Whitney’s David Hess Gives Upbeat Briefing (AirInsight)
• Pratt & Whitney chief sees long-term aerospace strength after a few ‘transitional’ years (Associated Press)
• A Flyover Highlights Pratt & Whitney's Plans for Dramatic Growth (Hartford Courant)

P&W Canada 747SP Visits Connecticut

Low-flying 747 in East Hartford: wtnh.com 

The Pratt & Whitney Canada 747SP flying test bed flew over the Pratt & Whitney facilities in East Hartford and Middletown, Conn., on Wednesday. The aircraft, visiting Connecticut for Pratt & Whitney's Media Day, has a PurePower PW1217G engine on a specially designed stub wing. The engine successfully completed its first flight on April 30.

Coverage:

• A Flyover Highlights Pratt & Whitney's Plans for Dramatic Growth (Fox 61)
• 747 Makes Low Pass Over Hartford Area (NBC 30)
• Low-Flying 747 in East Hartford (WTNH)
• 747 Flies Low Over Greater Hartford Towns (WFSB)

PW210 Engine to Power Eurocopter's X4 Helicopter

Pratt & Whitney Canada's (P&WC) PW210 engine has been selected by Eurocopter to power the next-generation X4 helicopter. The PW210-powered X4 is expected to enter into service by 2017.

The PW210 engine - the latest in P&WC's turboshaft product line - is powering a new era in helicopter flight with three applications confirmed. By the time the X4 enters service in 2017, the PW210 family will have accumulated well over half a million flying hours across the three platforms.

The PW210 is a state-of-the art engine that is designed to meet all the requirements of the most modern helicopters.

Click here to read Pratt & Whitney Canada's press release.

PT6C-67E Engine for Eurocopter EC175 Certified, Moves into Production

Pratt & Whitney Canada has received Transport Canada type certification for the PT6C-67E turboshaft engine that will power Eurocopter's EC175 helicopter. The Eurocopter EC175 is a new commercial multirole helicopter and the PT6C-67E is the latest turboshaft engine in the PT6C-67 family for the medium class helicopter segment.

The PT6C-67E builds on the experience of the PT6 family of turboprop and turboshaft engines, bringing unmatched reliability to a market where dispatch, availability and safety are paramount. The PT6C-67E incorporates Pratt & Whitney Canada's latest technological innovations for enhanced power and fuel efficiency, for longer range, increased payload and enhanced pilot experience to the EC175.

Click here to read Pratt & Whitney Canada's press release.

P&WC Powers Canada's First Biofuel-Powered Revenue Flight

Porter Airlines successfully conducted the first biofuel-powered revenue flight in Canada on April 17. In the successful conclusion to a test program that was launched in 2010, the airline flew one of its Bombardier Q400 turboprops from its base at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Ottawa using a 50/50 blend of biofuel and Jet A1 fuel in one of its engines.

This is the final step in a two-year project whose key members are Targeted Growth, Bombardier Aerospace, Pratt and Whitney Canada, the manufacturer of the PW150A engines that power the Q400 aircraft, and Porter Airlines. Funding for the biofuel test program was provided by the key partners, as well as by Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) through the Green Aviation Research & Development Network (GARDN).

Click here to read Pratt & Whitney Canada's press release.

Coverage:

• Porter Airlines operates Q400 biofuel flight (Air Transport World)