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.

FMI: www.pwc.ca