Estimated reading time 4 minutes, 5 seconds.
Pratt & Whitney Canada’s (P&WC’s) Oil Analysis Technology is launching on multiple PT6A engine models as well as PW617-powered Embraer Phenom 100 aircraft following successful customer trials. P&WC also announced a new designated maintenance facility in Brazil.
Following successful customer trials, Pratt & Whitney Canada is expanding the commercial rollout of its ground-breaking Oil Analysis Technology. The innovative technology launch now includes multiple PT6A engine models–all of which are used on single-engine aircraft–along with the PW617 engine, which powers the Embraer Phenom 100 aircraft.
This is another example of P&WC’s advancements in proactive and preventive data-driven engine health management under its rapidly expanding suite of digital engine services. P&WC’s Oil Analysis Technology provides innovative oil system prognostic capability for customers of P&WC-powered aircraft. P&WC is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.
“Our Oil Analysis Technology gives us high visibility into the health and efficient operation of the engine without intrusive inspections, which is key to maintenance predictability and enhancing aircraft availability,” said Michel Toutant, vice-president of customer service, P&WC. “When we can identify potential maintenance events at an early stage, they can be addressed proactively or avoided entirely. This is especially advantageous for PT6A SEIFR [single-engine instrument flight rules] customers who often rely on only one or two aircraft to run their businesses.”
Along with the PW617 engine, the technology is now calibrated for PT6A-114/114A, PT6A-64/66D, PT6A-67B and PT6A-67P engines–each with SEIFR status for commercial revenue activity. The PT6A is the only engine certified for SEIFR in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
This highly sensitive prognostic solution detects tiny metal traces within engine oil, enabling the identification of deterioration of specific components well before a potential event occurs. P&WC developed and advanced the Oil Analysis Technology program working closely with operators, fixed-based operators (FBOs) and aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Many of them took part in an ongoing customer trial as early adopters to help diversify the oil sample base and calibrate the technology throughout a variety of P&WC engine models.
P&WC continues global service network expansion with new DMF in Brazil
Following its first designated maintenance facility (DMF) announcement at SINDAG last week, Pratt & Whitney Canada announced that it has appointed its second DMF, RICO Taxi Aéreo Ltda. (RICO), under the company’s new global network expansion model. Based in Manaus, Brazil, RICO will serve customers of PT6A engines which power Cessna Caravan and Embraer Bandeirante aircraft.
The DMF will help grow P&WC’s local footprint in Brazil by providing customers with increased availability and accessibility to a broad array of P&WC maintenance services, tools, and spare parts designed to deliver faster service.
“Our new Designated Maintenance Facility model–launched just a few days ago at SINDAG in Canela, Brazil–reflects the importance of Brazilian customers to P&WC and our continued investment in the country to deliver rapid, flexible and tailored services and solutions,” said Toutant. “By working with RICO and their team of more than 70 employees, we can further extend our local maintenance capabilities, which are strengthened by our new DMF’s deep industry expertise and customer knowledge.”
RICO joins newly appointed ABA (ABA Manutencao de Aeronaves LTDA., Barreiras, Brazil) to serve P&WC customers in the country. ABA serves P&WC’s agricultural aerial application customers in Brazil.
Both DMFs will provide a wide range of maintenance services and solutions, including hot section inspection as detailed in P&WC’s Engine Maintenance Manuals.
P&WC will be at LABACE 2017 at booth #2010.
