Thu, Mar 01, 2007
A Next-Gen Powerplant For A Next-Gen Chopper
The latest iteration of Helicopter Association International's
annual Heli-Expo doesn't even officially kick off until Thursday...
and already, we're seeing some major advancements coming from some
big names in the helicopter industry.
On Wednesday, Pratt & Whitney Canada told ANN the
enginemaker's new-generation PT6C-67E engine will power the
upcoming EC175/Z15 medium-sized helicopter, being developed by
Eurocopter and Harbin Aviation Industry Group, a subsidiary of
China's AVIC II corporation. As Aero-News reported, the
EC175 (shown below) was first announced during Heli-Expo 2005.
"This is a great program for our PT6C-67E engine," said Keyvan
Fard, Vice President, Regional Airlines & Helicopter Engines,
P&WC. "This engine is now equipped with a dual-channel
full-authority digital electronic control (FADEC) system, which
offers reduced pilot workload along with increased dispatch
reliability."
The PT6C-67E is the latest derivative of the increasingly
omnipresent PT6 turboprop/turboshaft family. Agusta Westland's
AW139 helicopter and the upcoming Bell/Agusta Aerospace BA609
Tiltrotor also employ variants of the PT6C-67 family of
engines.
"The PT6C series, rated from 1,600 to 2,000 shp, is designed
with the operator in mind," says Fard. "It also offers among the
lowest maintenance costs and emission levels in the industry. As is
the case with all our engines, it is backed by P&WC's extensive
global customer support network, ranked No. 1 for helicopter engine
support by the industry for the last seven years."
More News
Light Gun A handheld directional light signaling device which emits a brilliant narrow beam of white, green, or red light as selected by the tower controller. The color and type of>[...]
"The journey to this achievement started nearly a decade ago when a freshly commissioned Gentry, driven by a fascination with new technologies and a desire to contribute significan>[...]
Aero Linx: JAARS, Inc. For decades now, we’ve landed planes on narrow rivers and towering mountains. We’ve outfitted boats and vehicles to reach villages that rarely se>[...]
"Our driven and innovative team of military and civilian Airmen delivers combat power daily, ensuring our nation is ready today and tomorrow." Source: General Duke Richardson, AFMC>[...]
Aircraft Conflict Predicted conflict, within EDST of two aircraft, or between aircraft and airspace. A Red alert is used for conflicts when the predicted minimum separation is 5 na>[...]