6 minute read
P&WC at EBACE
Meet P&WC’s Growing PT6E Family at EBACE
With EBACE set to take place for the first time since 2019, a visit to Geneva this May looks like a great opportunity to catch up with a significant development from Pratt & Whitney Canada after the company announced it was expanding its PT6 E-Series engine family…
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Given Daher’s close relationship with Pratt & Whitney Canada over the last three decades, it should come as little surprise that the worldleading turboprop engine OEM was chosen to power the new TBM 960 single-engine turboprop, announced at last month’s Sun ‘n Fun Expo in Lakeland, Florida.
In doing so, Pratt & Whitney Canada expands its PT6 ESeries engine family with the introduction of the new, purpose-built PT6E-66XT powerplant.
When the PT6 E-Series was launched back in 2019 [Pilatus being the launch customer for its new PC-12 NGX model] the PT6E-67XP became the first turboprop engine in General Aviation to offer a dual-channel integrated electronic propeller and engine control system, which the company claimed at the time pushed innovation to a new level.
Now, “The introduction of the PT6E-66XT engine reaffirms our continued commitment to innovation and our desire to proactively bring solutions to our customers,” said Nicholas Kanellias, Vice President, General Aviation, Pratt & Whitney Canada.
“The PT6E-66XT engine, driven by more than 100 digital data inputs, offers the optimal combination of precision, performance and efficiency for an elevated and simplified flying experience.”
Simplified Flying
According to both Pratt & Whitney Canada and Daher, the PT6E-66XT engine offers an enhanced, easier pilot experience. “With its PT6E-66XT version, the Pratt & Whitney Canada team has [provided] digital power to our TBM 960…, making it even easier to operate,” said Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of Daher’s Aircraft Division.
The digitally enabled single lever simplifies engine operation, allowing for true precision-controlled autothrottle, supporting a more intuitive way of flying, from
DAHER TBM 960
engine start to propeller and engine control, which ultimately reduces operation and pilot workload.
The engine control system is designed to provide a consistent start every time. It constantly reviews and processes all the engine (as well as many aircraft) parameters, making fine adjustments to fuel flow and propeller blade angle to deliver optimal power and efficiency during all phases of flight.
And with the digital intelligence behind the PT6E-66XT engine optimizing engine power, speed and fuel burn, operators can expect to see savings in both fuel costs and, ultimately, carbon emissions.
“Operated at Daher’s recommended cruise setting of 308kts, TBM 960 operators will see a 10% fuel economy increase compared to maximum cruise setting, for more sustainable operations,” a Pratt & Whitney Canada spokesperson told AvBuyer.
Ultimately, the intelligence behind the control system uses the data to deliver precise, constant engine performance at every altitude and every temperature on each flight.
Other benefits include increased engine take-off and climb power (+45 SHP mechanical horsepower) and increased thermodynamic power (up to 4% at International Standard Atmosphere conditions).
Data Collection & Transmission
The PT6E-66XT is also digitally connected through its Data Collection and Transmission Unit (DCTU), making full-flight engine data accessible on multiple platforms, including mobile devices. Once the aircraft lands, engine flight data can be wirelessly downloaded, providing operators and maintainers with insights into engine performance and health.
The overall goal of the PT6E-66XT engine’s improved design features and digital capabilities is to increase the availability of the aircraft to owners and operators.
The electronic control system removes hardware from the engine, resulting in a combined 40% reduction in scheduled maintenance – and TBO intervals have subsequently been increased from 3,500 to 5,000 hours.
The Future of the PT6 E-Series?
Asked where next for the PT6 E Series engine family, Pratt & Whitney Canada says that will ultimately be led by its customers. “We will continue to listen to our customers’ needs and monitor engine trends, while investing in the development and application of new technology,” the company spokesperson said.
“We’re proud to have launched the second PT6E engine model of our PT6 E-Series engine family. The depth of P&WC’s experience in the industry combined with the flexibility of the PT6 engine architecture enables us to bring our customers the technology and services they need, when they need it.” More information from www.pwc.ca. ❚ In addition to discovering more about the PT6E66XT engine, EBACE attendees can stop by the Pratt & Whitney Canada stand (K67) to learn more about various other products and services offered by the engine OEM. These include:
PW800 Engine
The PW800 family of engines is Pratt & Whitney’s next generation of long-range business jet engines, built to provide optimum efficiency to jets requiring power in the 10,000-20,000 thrust range. Currently, PW800 engines power Dassault’s Falcon 6X and Gulfstream’s new generation G400, G500 and G600 Large Cabin and Ultra-LongRange jets.
Sustainability
Having launched its Carbon Offset Service in 2020 for all Pratt & Whitney-powered business jet operators enrolled in an Eagle Service Plan (ESP) or Fleet Management Program (FMP), P&WC extended the service availability to Helicopter operators in November 2021.
Attendees will be able to learn more about the Carbon Offset Service at EBACE. Designed for simplicity, ESP-enrolled operators already provide monthly engine utilization hours to Pratt & Whitney, so no extra effort is required from those wishing to pay into the service.
Operators simply pay a small fee each time they fly: Pratt & Whitney estimates and compensates the aircraft emissions by sourcing high quality carbon offset credits, and the fees are then invested into providing clean water access around the world, funding renewable energy projects, and forest conservation.
Eagle Service Plan
Owners and operators wishing to know more about how an Eagle Service Plan hourly maintenance program can help, will be able to have their questions answered by the experts at EBACE.
A pay-per-hour engine maintenance cost guarantee program, aircraft owners pay Pratt & Whitney a fee, based on the number of flight hours they fly, which accrues in an account towards their next maintenance event. Making maintenance costs predictable, enrolment also helps increase aircraft availability, and increases the engines’ time on wings.
Moreover, easily transferrable to an aircraft’s new owner once it is sold, ESP is known to enhance the resale value of many business aircraft.
Learn more from Pratt & Whitney Canada at EBACE: Stand K67
OFF MARKET 2020 Bombardier Global 7500
Very low hours off market FAA-registered 2020 Global 7500
Specifications available to qualified end-buyers and mandated brokers for immediate delivery.
• Excellent Condition 2020 Global 7500 Aircraft • Cabin Configured for 16 Passengers in 4 Zones with • Forward Crew Rest • Engines Enrolled on GE OnPoint • APU Enrolled on Safran PowerCare • Inmarsat’s Ka-band High Speed Internet with WiFi • Synthetic Vision System (SVS) • Heads-Up Display (HUD) • Lightning Detection System (LDS) • Predictive Windshear (PWS) • Global Regulatory Package (GRP) • Lufthansa Technik Nice® Touch Cabin • Management System • (3) Personal Tablet Plug-in Arm Stands • External Camera System • Datalink Graphical Weather System (Worldwide) • Aircraft Under Manufacturer Warranties • FAA Part 135 Compliant
WANTED AIRCRAFT
• Lear 45 2005 or newer, with FDR/CVR preferred • Global 6500, All Options Considered • Gulfstream G550, All Options Considered • Gulfstream G650, All Options Considered • Challenger 300, All Options Considered • Falcon 2000 2006 or newer
• Phenom 300, All Options Considered • Citation XLS+, 2014 or newer • King Air 350i, 2014 or newer