Pratt & Whitney Canada has received certification from Transport Canada Civil Aviation for its PW127XT-L turboprop engine. This marks the company’s two hundredth type certification since the introduction of the original PT6 in 1963.
Irene Makris, Vice President of Customer Service at Pratt & Whitney Canada, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, «Achieving 200 engine type certifications in a span of 60 years is truly remarkable in the aviation world.» The PW127XT-L will power the ATR 42-600S regional aircraft. Thanks to its performance, this model can operate on runways as short as 800 meters, expanding access to over 1,000 airports worldwide and offering new business opportunities for airlines.
Daniel Cuchet, Senior Vice President of Engineering at ATR, added, «This certification represents a significant milestone for the ATR 42-600S program. The engine modifications are among the most important technical changes we are implementing in the aircraft, and will significantly impact takeoff performance.»
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Since the introduction of the PT6 in 1963, Pratt & Whitney Canada’s engines have accumulated over one billion flight hours. The PW100/150 engine families have contributed over 220 million hours to this impressive total. Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW127XT engine series offers a 40% increase in time between scheduled maintenance, a 20% reduction in maintenance costs, and a 3% improvement in fuel efficiency.
The PW127XT-L now joins Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW127XT-M engines, which power ATR’s latest generation of aircraft. Deutsche Aircraft has selected the PW127XT-S, another variant of the engine, to propel their D328eco regional aircraft. EASA’s engine certification is expected to be completed by the end of the year. ATR’s primary focus for the future will be integrating the modified engine with other aircraft systems to ensure the model enters service in 2025. The manufacturer has secured more than 20 commitments for the ATR 42-600S from buyers around the world.
