100% SAF flight marks a historical first for the PT6
engine series
LONGUEUIL, Quebec, Dec. 7, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney
Canada and Leonardo today announced the successful
completion of the first flight for an AW139 using 100% Sustainable
Aviation Fuel (SAF) in both PT6C-67C engines. The 75-minute flight
and ground tests, which took place at Leonardo's facility in
Cascina Costa di Samarate, Italy,
evaluated engine performance at multiple power variations and
demonstrated no significant differences in the response to the new
fuel compared with the use of Jet A1 fuel. Pratt & Whitney
is an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business.
"Flights such as these are instrumental in our efforts to ensure
100% SAF compatibility for our engines," said Maria Della Posta, president, Pratt &
Whitney Canada. "This is the first
time a PT6 engine has been flown using 100% SAF, marking this as a
significant milestone for the unrivaled engine series. Proving the
engine's capability with drop-in SAF provides the foundation for
the future of the PT6 in sustainable aviation and builds on its
legacy of success."
Ensuring compatibility with 100% SAF is part of Pratt &
Whitney's strategy of enabling more sustainable aviation through
the pursuit of smarter technologies, cleaner fuels, and greener
business practices, supporting the aviation industry's goal of
achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
"The results of this first demonstration flight are a further
testament to the outstanding design of the AW139, its high
performance, and the excellent relationship we have with Pratt
& Whitney Canada," said
Gian Piero Cutillo, managing
director, Leonardo Helicopters. "This flight demonstrates another
tangible benefit of the most successful helicopter in its class
and provides a positive way forward to the many operators
carrying out missions in all weather conditions as they aim for
more ambitious sustainability goals."
Pratt & Whitney Canada
engines have achieved more than one billion hours of flight across
the entire fleet since the introduction of the PT6 in 1963.
Nearly 3,000 PT6C engines have been manufactured by Pratt &
Whitney Canada and the engine has
contributed more than 8.5 million hours towards this milestone
which underscores the trust and confidence placed of aircraft
operators worldwide. Read more about Pratt & Whitney's history
of innovation here.
About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a
world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft
engines and auxiliary power units. To learn more, visit
www.prattwhitney.com.
About RTX
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more
than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and
science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through
industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt &
Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering
integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing
next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help
global customers address their most critical challenges. The
company, with 2022 sales of $67
billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact
corporatepr@rtx.com.
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SOURCE RTX