If there was any
question as to Embraer's committment to the VLJ market, this should
solve them.
Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) has secured two
important wins in the very light jet and light jet markets with the
selection of the PW617F and the PW535E engines for the new Embraer
VLJ and LJ business and general aviation aircraft.
"These contracts solidify our presence in this fast emerging
sector of the aircraft market," said Alain M. Bellemare, President,
P&WC (below, right). "These latest wins reflect our significant
investment and ongoing commitment to develop new products and
technologies, and our ability to anticipate and strategically plan
for emerging market opportunities. In fact, programs such as our
PW600 have also acted as catalysts to help stimulate new markets,
as is the case with the jet taxi."
"From the growth we are seeing in these two market segments, we
believe that the opportunities are significant. We are encouraged
by the sales volume projections of the aircraft manufacturers and
the exciting development of the Jet Taxi market."
P&WC has now won
three major competitions in the very light jet market segment
within the past 3 years with its new PW600 engine family spanning
the 900- to 3,000-pound thrust range. The PW617F engine, flat rated
at 1,615 lbs. of takeoff thrust, is approximately a +10 per cent
scale of one of the current PW600 engine models continuing the
PW600 family's demonstrated scaleable concept. In addition, the
PW600 delivers the added reliability and ease of operation with its
dual-channel FADEC (Full Authority Digital Electronic Control).
The PW535E engine for Embraer's LJ embodies the ideal blend of
advanced technologies and proven reliability and durability of the
PW535 turbofan engine family that entered service in late 2000.
Flat rated at 3,200 lbs. of takeoff thrust, it also features FADEC
and injects new advanced proven technologies in the turbine and
compressor areas to produce increased thrust with improved fuel
consumption.
P&WC launched the PW600 engine family with the PW625F
demonstrator program a few years ago. The PW600 has successfully
targeted a new generation of very light jets that will deliver a
level of affordability, reliability and operating economics
previously thought unattainable for small, high performance
business jet aircraft.
In addition, these very light jets in fact have fostered the
emergence of jet taxi business model, offering on-demand, same-day,
point-to-point transportation at a very affordable ticket price.
"We see the jet taxi market as an exciting opportunity and with the
already strong signs of its launch, we believe it will steadily
build momentum to create a new, exciting means of business and
personal travel," said Mr. Bellemare.
The PW617F engine is scheduled to be certified in the fourth
quarter of 2007 while the PW535E is targeted for certification in
mid-2008.