Pratt & Whitney PurePower engine powers Bombardier CSeries first flight
MIRABEL, Quebec, Canada, 17 Sept. 2013. The new PW1500G PurePower engine from Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company, powered Bombardier’s new CSeries airplane for its maiden flight this week. The historic event also marked the first flight of Pratt & Whitney’s new Geared Turbofan PurePower engine as part of an aircraft certification program.
“The CSeries aircraft’s maiden flight is an outstanding milestone for us–and the PW1500G engine is an integral part of today’s success,” says 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.”
The PW1500G engine achieved engine certification from Transport Canada in February, and is the first of six new engine programs using Pratt & Whitney’s Geared Turbofan architecture to power an 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,” explains 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 fifth-generation fighter engines, the PW1000G engine family includes micro-circuit internal cooling to enhance durability and efficiency. Additionally, 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.
Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace
Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.
