Engine Flying On Multiple Aircraft For From Commuters To Ag Planes

Pratt & Whitney Canada’s (P&WC’s) PT6A-140 series engines continue to advance their position as the engines of choice in the utility and agricultural markets.

The PT6A-140 engine was originally certified in 2012 to power the Cessna Grand Caravan EX. With over 350 engines produced, the PT6A-140 has accumulated more than 230,000 flying hours and a perfect record of reliability, clearly establishing itself as the new benchmark in its class.

Blackhawk Modifications Inc. has completed the 20th conversion of its FAA- and, most recently, EASA-certified XP140 New Engine+ Upgrade, featuring the PT6A-140, for the Cessna Caravan.

StandardAero has also selected the PT6A-140 engine for its upgrade program for the Cessna Caravan and has just received FAA certification for the program. In addition, Aircraft Structures International Corp. (ASIC) has selected the PT6A-140 engine for its Cessna Caravan conversion program, complementing its expertise in rebuilding Caravans and giving aging aircraft a new lease on life.

“The popularity of the PT6A-140 series engines is growing and reinforces our ability to raise the bar with the PT6A family to make the world’s best engines even better,” said Denis Parisien, Vice President, General Aviation, P&WC. “The new engines set the benchmark for performance and fuel efficiency, delivering 15 percent more power and 5 percent better specific fuel consumption.”
 
On the agricultural (aerial application) front, both of the industry’s leading OEMs – Air Tractor and Thrush – have selected the PT6A-140AG for their 500-gallon aircraft.
 
The Air Tractor 502XP agricultural spray plane is the first to be driven by the PT6A-140AG engine. The aircraft received FAA approval in March of this year, with newly delivered aircraft already helping to protect crops across the United States. A new version of the Thrush 510P aircraft will also be powered by the PT6A-140AG. The aircraft is expected to be certified in 2017.
 
Lastly, P&WC has recently signed contracts with multiple airframe OEMs and conversion companies that have selected the PT6A-140A engine for their engine programs, which, for the moment, remain confidential.
 
Optimized for “hot and high” environments, the PT6A-140A and -140AG engines have 867 mechanical shaft horsepower (SHP) and 1,075 thermal SHP and offer full-load takeoff at maximum power available at 111º F (44º C).
 
“Given the rapid adoption of the engine by converters and OEMs alike, it’s obvious that the PT6A-140 engine series continues to be the powerplant of choice in the utility and agricultural markets,” said Parisien. “The engine has earned that status because the industry recognizes it as providing best-in-class power and performance with reduced operating costs, all supported by the best customer service network in the business.”

(Image provieded by Pratt & Whitney Canada)

FMI: www.pwc.ca