MIRABEL, Quebec, Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney's PurePower engine successfully powered Bombardier's new CSeries* airplane for its maiden flight. The PW1500G engine, which achieved engine certification from Transport Canada in February, is the first of six new engine programs using Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan™ architecture to power an aircraft. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.
"The CSeries aircraft's maiden flight is an outstanding milestone for us – and the PW1500G engine is an integral part of today's success," said Rob Dewar, vice president, CSeries, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "The PurePower engine technology fits extremely well with the innovative aircraft that we are bringing to market. We look forward to our continued collaboration on this industry-changing aircraft."
"We congratulate Bombardier on the CSeries aircraft's historic first flight and we're proud to be powering the aircraft - the first 'next generation' and all-new airplane to enter the single-aisle market segment," said Dave Brantner, president, Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines. "Our PW1500G will improve engine fuel efficiency by 16 percent and reduce airline engine operating costs by up to 20 percent. The PurePower engine slashes noise footprints by up to 75 percent compared to existing turbofan engines."
Today's flight milestone is a key step forward to aircraft certification and entry-into-service. To date, the PW1500G engine has completed 3,000 hours of ground and flight testing.
The PurePower PW1000G engine family uses an advanced gear system that allows the engine's fan to operate at a different speed than the low-pressure compressor and turbine. Built on the foundation of the company's successful fifth generation fighter engines, the PW1000G engine family includes micro-circuit internal cooling to enhance durability and efficiency. Additionally, the leading edge coating technology derived and proven in the harshest environments provides the engine's airfoils with a "non-stick" barrier that is critical for high temperatures and harsh environments.
Final assembly for the PW1500G engines will be at Pratt & Whitney Canada's Mirabel Aerospace Centre in Mirabel, Quebec. UTC Aerospace Systems, formed after UTC's acquisition of Goodrich, provides the nacelle system.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, auxiliary and ground power units and small turbojet propulsion products. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC, visit the website or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC.
This release includes "forward looking statements" concerning anticipated business opportunities that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including with regard to the programs described in this release. Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in forward looking statements include the effect of economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, including financial market conditions, levels of end market demand in the aerospace industry, including levels of demand for the new aircraft described in this release; levels of air travel; and challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies and new products and services. For information identifying other important economic, political, regulatory, legal, technological, competitive and other uncertainties, see UTC's 10-K, 10-Q and other reports filed with the SEC.
*Trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
For more information on the Pratt & Whitney PurePower engine, visit: www.purepowerengines.com.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/purepowerengine
Facebook: www.facebook.com/purepowerengine
YouTube: www.youtube.com/purepowerengine
SOURCE Pratt & Whitney