Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

Rising demand for helicopters around the world has contributed to sustained growth at Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada (P&amp;WC) as the engine maker continues to grapple with supply-chain challenges stemming from the pandemic. &nbsp;The RTX business, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, has been manufacturing helicopter propulsion systems for 60 years and has built around 20,000 helicopter engines that have amassed a combined total of 80 million flight hours.
Nico Chabee, v-p of marketing and sales for helicopters at P&amp;WC, told AIN that shortages of pilots and mechanics, combined with lingering supply-chain woes, continue to constrain the industry as demand outpaces supply, creating hefty backlogs. “It’s a good problem to have,” he said. “Today we are growing at a pace where people would like us to grow even faster.”
Most recently, the company has been expanding its footprint in Asia. Last year P&amp;WC expanded its Eagle Services Asia facility in Singapore and invested $20 million to expand its manufacturing presence there, with plans calling for a 10% increase in its Singapore-based workforce by 2026.
P&amp;WC also continues to enjoy government support both in Canada and abroad, including from the U.S. Department of Defense. Chabee told AIN the company&nbsp;is not worried about any of its U.S. defense contracts being canceled as a result of federal government cuts.
“I don’t think it’s even a topic of discussion,” he said. While he declined to comment on the possible impacts of U.S. tariffs on Canada, he noted that company leadership is “keeping a close eye on the evolving situation.”
While P&amp;WC forges ahead with its global expansion, the company is also continually investing around $500 million per year in innovations for its existing line of legacy engine models, as well as future products. For example, the company is studying advanced materials that could enable greater thermal efficiency in gas turbine engines to reduce fuel burn and emissions.&nbsp;
On the future front, P&amp;WC is working with Airbus Helicopters’ <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-03-06/airbus-pioneerlab-targets-hybrid-electric-flight-2027">PioneerLab</a> team to build a hybrid-electric demonstrator aircraft based on the H145 helicopter, with first flights slated for 2027. That demonstrator will combine one of P&amp;WC’s PW210S engines with a pair of Collins Aerospace 250-kW electric motors.
The company is also researching and experimenting with hydrogen propulsion turbine engines. It is preparing to demonstrate hydrogen combustion technology on a PW127XT turboprop engine for the Canadian government-backed Hydrogen Advanced Design Engine Study (HyADES).

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Pratt & Whitney Canada Enjoys Continued Growth Amid Political Uncertainty

Helicopter engine business is booming, the company said

Rising demand for helicopters around the world contributes to sustained growth at Pratt & Whitney Canada as the engine maker as supply chain woes persist. 

P&WC Enjoys Continued Growth Amid Political Uncertainty

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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Powerplant is 18% more fuel efficient than others in the 1,200- to 1,400-shp class

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Manufacturer says new geared turbofan delivers higher thrust and lower fuel burn

FAA Approves GTF Advantage Engine For A320neo Airliners

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

First A321XLR airliner with Pratt & Whitney’s engines will enter service this year

EASA Certifies GTF-powered Airbus A321XLR

Hydrogen-electric six-seater aircraft is targeted for 2028 service entry

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News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Verticon 2025

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