The significance of General Electric’s purchase of Walter Aircraft Engines last year has only recently become evident. The American company appears poised to seriously challenge the primacy of Pratt & Whitney Canada as the principal source of turboprop engines for executive aircraft, light transport twins and more.
The ubiquitous PT6A series has made Pratt & Whitney Canada the dominant supplier of smaller turboprop engines. The Canadian company has produced some 15,000 of the 20,000 powerplants of its category in service around the world today.
The lengthy legal process necessary to confirm the takeover of Walter Engines by GE resulted in the topic leaving center stage last year. Not until July 1 this year had the company completed the acquisition of certain assets. Consequently, only 14 days ago Walter moved to new premises in the Czech Republic, where product improvement efforts will occur.
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