Cites Power To Weight Ratio, 3,600 Hour TBO In Making The Selection

A long-term contract has been signed between Turbine Conversions, Ltd. and Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) for the sale of PT6A-21 engines to power the recently announced Cessna 206 turbine conversion.

Turbine Conversions has been converting aircraft using P&WC engines since 1990, but company president Bill Hatfield first encountered the PT6 engine when he installed a PT6A-34AG engine in his Grumman Ag Cat in 1975. "I still fly my Grumman Ag Cat, and that PT6A-34AG engine continues to serve me well after more than 40 years," said Mr. Hatfield, one of the most respected and well-known pioneers of the agricultural industry. "The relationships I have built with P&WC employees over the years have likewise endured and helped empower our business and those of our own clients. We are delighted to have struck yet another arrangement with P&WC to power our Cessna 206 conversion."

"Turbine Conversions has consistently demonstrated its understanding of the factors that drive successful conversion programs," said Denis Parisien, Vice President, General Aviation, P&WC. "With the 206 turbine conversion program, our PT6A-21 engines will replace piston engines so operators of the converted aircraft will benefit from a considerable increase in power, better hot and high performance and a TBO [time between overhaul] of 3,600 hours. Combined with that is our OEM warranty and a global customer support network that is second to none."

PT6 technology has powered 125 different applications since its introduction. More than 46,000 PT6 engines have been manufactured, with 23,000 now in service. The engine has logged more than 375 million flight hours.

"Anyone can say they're the best; we have the numbers to prove it," said Parisien. "It's more than an engine. The PT6A engine offers the best of both worlds: Its proven technology is built upon a remarkable body of engineering achievement that has written new chapters in aviation history in collaboration with our customers, and it's also this technology that continues to make new aircraft applications possible. We're already moving on to the next innovation."

The PT6A engine's flexible architecture and modular reverse-flow design simplify installation in both single- and twin-engine installations as well as tractor and pusher propeller configurations. Simple on-wing maintenance is possible for most tasks, whereas other engines might need a shop visit.

(Source: Pratt & Whitney Canada news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.pwc.ca