Q: Where is PWC with the PW800 development today?
A: The PW800 engine is still currently in development. At the end of 2013, we initiated ground testing of a 10,000 to 20,000-pound thrust PW800 engine demonstrator. P&WC will expand the test program as required to position the engine in the marketplace. Given that thousands of hours of testing have already been done on the core, we believe we can certify a PW800 engine variant within 36 month of signing a launch customer.
The PW800 is intended to power large business jets with power ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 lbs thrust. The gas generator of the PW800 also serves as the core for PW’s PurePower, PW1000G geared turbofan (GTF) engine, which has been selected to power Bombardier CSeries, Mitsubishi MRJs, Irkut MC-21 and Embraer E-Jets.
By using the high performance/high efficiency cores from the Pure Power family of engines combined with a fan and a low pressure turbine (LPT) optimized for business jets applications, this new turbofan will make a step change in the business aviation market. With the PW800, P&WC has a huge advantage in having the common core of the geared turbofan. It removes a lot of risk and gives P&WC a springboard.
Q: The 50 year milestone for the PT6 is obviously huge, what do you have planned by way of enhancements to take the PT6 onwards and upwards (no pun intended)?
A: Answers to be provided on Monday.
Q: What can you tell us about investment in your various plants?
A: In October 2013, Pratt & Whitney Canada announced an investment in Cutting-Edge Technologies and Upgrades to its Facilities.
The investment amounts to $275 million over five years and includes the creation of a World-Class Centre of Excellence for Intelligent Manufacturing in Longueuil, an $80-million initiative. The Centre of Excellence will come to fruition with the development and implementation of three new intelligent production lines featuring cutting-edge equipment and technology. The production lines will be dedicated to manufacturing highly complex key components for the new-generation family of PurePower® engines recently launched by Pratt & Whitney.
Q: What’s happening with the P300?
A: Today, P&WC powers more mid-sized jets than anyone else in the industry, a leading position made possible by the PW300 engine family. In the 4,700 to 8,000-lb-thrust class, the PW300 is recognized for its low fuel consumption, standard-setting environmental friendliness, reliability and economical operation.
Recent developments include:
Bombardier Learjet85
Bombardier’s all-new Learjet 85 midsize business aircraft, powered by two PW307B engines, successfully completed its maiden flight on April 9, marking the start of its flight program leading up to first customer deliveries. The Learjet 85 continues a long and fruitful partnership between Bombardier and P&WC, spanning six decades with products ranging from the PT6-powered Twin Otter to the PW150A-powered Q400 and PW305A-powered Learjet 60.
Cessna Sovereign+
Since February, P&WC’s PW306D turbofan engine model is in service on the Cessna Citation Sovereign+ midsized business jet. Rated at a maximum take-off thrust of 5,907 pounds, the PW306D delivers the best thrust-to-weight ratio in its class. It features higher thrust at climb and cruise as well as improvements in overall specific fuel consumption (SFC).
New Engine Maintenance level
for PW307A engines
P&WC recently introduced a Platinum level of coverage for the ESP® offering to Dassault’s Falcon 7X operators (PW307A engines). This now includes routine periodic inspections, corrosion repair, low utilization inspections, renewal of technical publications and enhanced engine trending and performance margin analysis.
Q: PW Canada has a long history with Beechcraft and you now have an agreement for the Kenny Dichter’s Wheels Up fleet. What can you tell us about the relationship and the new deal?
A: As part of the agreement, P&WC will support the PT6A-60A engines powering the King Air 350i aircraft recently ordered by private aviation membership company Wheels Up. Under this renewable agreement, the Wheels Up King Air 350i fleet will be enrolled in P&WC’s world-class Gold Eagle Service™ Plan (ESP® Program).
Coverage provided under the Gold ESP® Program includes parts and shop labour for scheduled engine overhaul and hot section inspection, unscheduled engine and line replaceable unit (LRU) maintenance, rental engine support, trouble shooting and mobile repair team (MRT) support for unscheduled aircraft on ground (AOG) situations and required product support improvements at shop visits.
The agreement also includes an airframe-mounted Aircraft Data Acquisition System (ADAS®) and Data Transmission Unit (DTU®) and associated services for automated engine health management and trend monitoring.
Q: Any other issues you want to cover?
A: We are pleased to announce significant milestones on the regional market:
This year, P&WC’s PW100 turboprop family is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking the beginning of a journey that saw it play a key role in the development of the global regional airline industry thanks to outstanding reliability, durability and operating economics.
Also, P&WC’s FAST (Flight Data Acquisition Storage and Transmission System) engine diagnostic, prognostic and health-management (DPHM) recently received a Transport Canada Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for use on Bombardier Dash-8 200 and 300 series aircraft, paving the way for its installation on these models. Transport Canada STC No. SA12-70 now includes Bombardier Models Q200, Q300 and Q400.