Pratt & Whitney PurePower engine programmes see 'stellar year' 

Pratt & Whitney PurePower engine programmes see 'stellar year'

Dec 26, 2012 (Menafn - AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION via COMTEX) --US-based manufacturer United Technologies Corp. UTX said that its Pratt & Whitney jet engine division said it has nearly 3,000 engine orders, including options, for its PurePower engine line at year's end.

The engines feature geared turbofan technology, which adds a planetary gearset between the engine's fan and LP shaft in an effort to boost efficiency by running the turbine/compressors at a different (slower) speed that the fan.

According to the engine maker, the PurePower engine order book includes commitments from more than 35 airline and lessor customers around the world.

In total, the program has completed more than 12,400 cycles and 4,200 hours of full engine testing, including more than 460 flight test hours.

The PurePower engine programme achieved several milestones in 2012, P&W said. In June, the PW1200G engine for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet successfully completed its first flight test program, logging 23 flights and 127 hours using a specially designed stub wing on Pratt & Whitney's 747SP flying test bed.

In October, Pratt & Whitney completed assembly of the first engine to test for its PurePower PW1100G-JM engine the lead engine on the Airbus A320neo aircraft family.

A Last Bolt Ceremony held at Pratt & Whitney's West Palm Beach, Fla., facility celebrated the milestone with leadership from Pratt & Whitney, Airbus, MTU and JAEC in attendance.

The engine, rated at 33,000 pounds of thrust, recently began testing. It is the third PurePower engine family member to begin full engine testing, P&W said.

For more information on the Pratt & Whitney PurePower engine, visit www.purepowerengines.com

Comments on this story may be sent to aii.feedback@m2.com

(C)1997-2012 M2 COMMUNICATIONS