P&WC PT6 Hits 500 Million Flight Hours | Aviation International News

P&WC PT6 Hits 500 Million Flight Hours

Pratt & Whitney's ubiquitous turboprop engine turns 60.

Pratt & Whitney technician working on PT6A engine — A Pratt & Whitney technician works on a PT6A engine. (Photo: Pratt & Whitney)

By Mark Huber • Contributor

July 25, 2023

“Smarter, cleaner, greener” is the mantra for engine maker Pratt & Whitney Canada at EAA AirVenture this week. The OEM is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its ubiquitous line of PT6 turboprop engines, of which more than 61,000 have been delivered and installed on 42,000 aircraft, with a combined fleet time of 500 million hours. The company also is celebrating the one billionth flight hour of all its engines since 1928.

The latest iteration, the E series, has a 5,000-hour time-between-overhaul interval and requires 40 percent less maintenance. It features a dual-channel integrated electronic propeller and engine-control system, enabling single-power lever engine control. The control system helps to optimize power and efficiency in all phases of flight by constantly reviewing all engine parameters—as well as many aircraft parameters—and making the necessary adjustments to the fuel flow and propeller blade angle. The data is used to deliver constant engine performance at all altitudes and temperatures and enables performance gains such as increased engine takeoff, climb, and thermodynamic power.

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