P&WC’s FAST™ Trend Monitoring Solution Certified for Regional Aircraft
FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW - LONDON, UK (July 9, 2012) – Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC), a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), has received FAA supplemental type certification (STC) for its FAST™ (Flight Data Acquisition Storage and Transmission System) engine diagnostic solution aboard the Bombardier Q400 regional aircraft which is powered by PW150A engines. FAST™ is unique in that it goes beyond traditional diagnostics, prognostics and trend monitoring; the product can also acquire, store and transmit data from the Flight Data Recorder thus allowing for customer review of full Flight Operations Quality Analysis (FOQA) information.
FAST™ is the latest innovation in P&WC’s suite of advanced diagnostic solutions that automatically acquires, stores and transmits engine and aircraft data. Stored engine data is readily available for review and transmission to the customer the moment it is required.
This one-stop application for managing all aircraft performance data is a competitive advantage for operators such as regional airlines.
“There are more than 400 Bombardier Q400 regional turboprops and thousands of PW100-powered aircraft in service around the world. Securing FAA certification for our FAST™ solution aboard an aircraft is an important milestone for us,” said Raffaele Virgili, Vice-President, Customer Service, P&WC. “Regional airlines place great emphasis on dispatch reliability. At P&WC we are working toward offering our customers a planned operating environment where maintenance is synchronized with the airline’s schedule and downtime is kept to an absolute minimum.”
Because FAST™ integrates all performance metrics into a single hardware/software solution, it has additional appeal in the regional airline industry as it eliminates the need for scheduled manual downloads, saving both time and money. FAST™ allows regional airlines and other operators to plan their maintenance sessions in advance, taking advantage of overnight layovers, for example. Because the system provides early detection of minor issues, preventative maintenance can be conducted before these minor issues affect dispatch availability. It also provides timely post-flight fault code/event review which enables determination of an aircraft’s immediate availability.
“Whether the goal is asset protection, on-condition maintenance or regulatory compliance, P&WC’s FAST™ solution will meet any operator’s needs and provides for a planned maintenance environment,” said Virgili.
FAST™ has also been certified for the Bombardier Learjet 60 and the Dassault Falcon 7X.
Customer Service
P&WC has built the largest, most comprehensive customer service network in the industry around its 10,000 customers who operate in 200 countries. Through its Customer First Centres in Montreal and Singapore, P&WC is always just a call or click away, providing unparalleled technical support. The P&WC network has 30 owned or designated repair and overhaul facilities, nine parts distribution centres, 100 Field Support Representatives, mobile repair teams, 800 rental/exchange engines and 12 customer training facilities operated through FlightSafety International. P&WC offers comprehensive Pay per Hour maintenance programs for fleet operators and business aviation customers, with more than 7,000 engines currently enrolled. P&WC also offers repair and overhaul of components and accessories, and the sale of new, exchange and used serviceable parts. Advanced diagnostics are also offered, moving operators towards a totally planned operating environment. P&WC is a one-stop shop for all elements of an operator’s needs.
About Pratt & Whitney Canada
Founded in 1928, and a global leader in aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is shaping the future of aviation with dependable, high-technology engines. Every second, a P&WC-powered aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in the world. P&WC's engines, with close to 600 million hours in the air, are the industry benchmark for innovative design, dispatch reliability, operating economics and easy maintenance. P&WC is firmly committed to ensuring that its products are designed, produced and operated while minimizing environmental impacts throughout their life cycle.
There are currently more than 49,000 engines in service on more than 28,000 aircraft operated by some 10,000 operators in 200 countries. The most extensive support network in the industry, which includes more than 30 company-owned and designated service facilities, supports this global fleet.
Based in Longueuil, Quebec (Canada), P&WC is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE:UTX). UTC is a diversified company providing high-technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.
