Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, announced it is driving forward its environmental commitments by supporting efforts to advance 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) compatibility for its engines, it has expanded its carbon offset service to regional customers and has advanced its hybrid-electric propulsion technology and flight demonstrator program, all while consistently making current products environmentally best-in-class.
“Pratt & Whitney Canada is uniquely positioned to bring productive, safe propulsion to the world combining efficient thermal and electrical propulsion systems, while offering the broadest suite of solutions to customers,” said Maria Della Posta, president. “To that end, we’ve made several advancements in our sustainability roadmap that herald the application of proven technology to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.”
Sustainable Alternative Fuels – from 50% to 100% compatibility
The entire Pratt & Whitney engine portfolio can currently operate at up to 50% SAF blend and the company is working towards making its engines 100% SAF ready for the future. Most recently, a PW100 turboprop engine ran successfully on 100% SAF during a series of ground and flight tests on ATR’s 72-600 prototype aircraft. ATR is targeting a demonstration flight in early 2022 on a Braathens Regional Airlines’ ATR aircraft, where both PW100 engines will run on 100% SAF. Pratt & Whitney Canada has also launched a SAF pilot program with German helicopter operator ADAC that will operate SAF blends for a 36-month testing timeframe. The program will set one of the most extensive operational SAF usage cases for the rotary wing sector. Pratt & Whitney continues to play an active role in educating and influencing the aviation community to adopt SAF.
Carbon offsets – providing a solution today
Along with increasing the use of SAFs, carbon offsetting plays an important role in reducing aviation’s environmental footprint. Pratt & Whitney Canada’s Carbon Offset Service, launched in December 2020, is now available to regional customers on a Fleet Management Program. This intuitive program is designed to help operators minimize their emissions footprint and actively reduce CO2 emissions faster than they would otherwise, through initiatives focused on renewable energy and forest conservation.
Hybrid-electric technology – making a difference for tomorrow
On the hybrid-electric front, Pratt & Whitney Canada continues its successful collaboration with Collins Aerospace and De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited on the hybrid-electric flight demonstrator, targeting a 30% reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions, compared to a modern regional turboprop airliner.
“We are excited about the progress we’ve made in the hybrid-electric space with our propulsion technology. It remains a core element of our strategy to make aviation more sustainable,” said Scott McElvaine, vice president, Business Development & Commercial Services, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “We are growing our team to support the technology development, recently hiring 25 engineers, and are continuing our search to add even more talent over the course of this year. We are on track for ground testing in the latter half of 2022.”
The Dash 8-100 flight demonstrator will include an advanced electric motor and controller from Collins Aerospace.
Engine efficiency – continuous improvements for better performance
Pratt & Whitney Canada continues its engine improvements and investments in advanced technologies enabling more efficient, lower-emissions propulsion across multiple market segments and applications. The new regional turboprop engine series – the PW127XT – selected by ATR as the new standard for its ATR 42/72 aircraft family, offers 40% extended time on wing, 20% lower maintenance costs and a 3% improvement in fuel efficiency. The 3% reduction in fuel consumption adds to the advantage that’s inherent to Pratt & Whitney Canada regional turboprop engines consuming 40% less fuel and less CO2 emissions compared to similar-sized jets for similar missions. The award-winning PT6 E-Series is the first general aviation turboprop engine to offer a dual-channel integrated electronic propeller and engine control system and its unmatched reliability has made possible the growth of single engine operations around the world and as such, the corresponding fuel consumption benefit. Finally, the award-winning PW800 engine, now selected on four platforms, offers double-digit improvements in fuel burn, emissions, noise and maintenance intervals leading the way in its class.
Pratt & Whitney has been a leader in powering sustainable aviation for decades, with products that enable customers to reach their climate goals by delivering smarter technology, using cleaner fuel, and operating a greener business.
