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Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) announced on Oct. 3, 2017, that its PT6C-67A helicopter engine–which powers the Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor, an aircraft that flies both horizontally and vertically–has achieved certification from Transport Canada.
FAA validation of the PT6C-67A engine is expected by the end of 2017, and it supports FAA certification of the AW609 in 2018 as the first commercial tiltrotor to enter operation.
“We were presented with a special challenge by Leonardo Helicopters–design an engine to power an aircraft that takes off and lands vertically, and flies horizontally well above adverse weather conditions at twice the speed and range of a helicopter,” says Irene Makris, vice-president of marketing at P&WC. “The PT6C-67A eloquently answers that challenge with 2,000 shp output that provides exceptional power-to-weight ratio, and durability.”
The PT6C-67A benefits from the reliability of the PT6 engine family. It has a new compressor with advanced aerodynamics and the engine’s new turbines are made with state-of-the-art materials. Together, the new compressor and turbine enable increased power and reduced fuel consumption. The engine has also been certified to allow for continuous operation in a vertical position.
“Enabling the speed and performance characteristics of the AW609, the PT6C-67A certification now drives tiltrotor development forward towards the future of aircraft transport,” said Gian Piero Cutillo, managing director at Leonardo Helicopters. “This certification represents a milestone within the program that will allow us to certify the aircraft by the end of 2018 and remain on schedule with initial customer deliveries.”
