Will Provide In-Country Maintenance For Civil-Certified PT6A,
PW100 Series Engines
A new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility ... a
joint venture between Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and
China Aviation Engine Holdings Corporation Ltd. (AVIC Engine
Holdings) ... is set to be located in Zhuzhou, Province of Hunan,
People's Republic of China. The "Zhuzhou Tonghui Aero Engine
Maintenance Company" (AEMC) will provide in-country maintenance,
repair and overhaul for civil-certified PT6A and PW100 and series
engines. The joint-venture-agreement signing ceremony on Monday was
attended by John Saabas, President, Pratt & Whitney Canada,
Pang Wei, President, AVIC Engine Holdings and Li Zongshun,
President, China National South Aviation Industry Co., Ltd.
(SAIC).
PT6A Engine
AEMC will provide MRO services to civil-certified PT6A and PW100
engines installed on civil turboprop aircraft operating in the
People's Republic of China and on civil-certified PT6A and PW100
engines installed on Chinese Original Equipment Manufactured civil
turboprop aircraft operating in the Asia-Pacific region. Capability
will be created in phases, starting with line maintenance, followed
by heavy maintenance and, finally, overhaul. Currently, P&WC
has some 180 PT6A and PW100 engines flying in China on Y12 and
MA60/600 turboprop aircraft.
"China is obviously a key emerging market for P&WC and AEMC
will allow us to provide PT6A and PW100 MRO services quickly and
efficiently in the country to enhance our market reach," said Mr.
Saabas. "AVIC Engine Holdings is our customer, supplier and
long-term business partner and we are pleased to expand our
collaboration into the turboprop area."
PW100 Engine
The joint venture will be legally structured through SAIC's
subsidiary – General Aviation Engine Company (GAEC) and UTC's
subsidiary – United Technologies Far East (UTFE). AEMC will
be owned 75 per cent by GAEC and 25 per cent by UTFE. The joint
venture agreement is for 25 years with an option for renewal.
AEMC's board of directors will consist of AVIC representatives and
P&WC representatives. P&WC will appoint its general manager
and AVIC, the chief financial officer. The remainder of the
management team will be jointly selected by the joint venture
partners.
"AEMC will enable operators of PT6A- and PW100-powered aircraft
in China to benefit from in-country engine services – from
line maintenance to overhaul – providing them with faster
turnaround times and lower costs," said Mr. Saabas. "It will also
position us to expand our MRO market in the coming years as our
engine fleet grows in the region."
"AVIC Engine Holdings and P&WC have a long history of
co-operation," said Mr. Pang, President, AVIC Engine Holdings.
"Today, we extend our co-operation into the field of MRO services
for civil aviation engines. We believe that our strong
collaboration will better serve the Chinese civil aviation market
and provide more convenience and efficient services for our end
users."