Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo Complete First SAF-Powered AW139 Helicopter Flight

Press Release Issued: Dec 7, 2023 (8:00am EST)

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RTX's Pratt & Whitney Canada and Leonardo achieve first 100% SAF flight with
PT6C-67C-powered AW139 helicopter



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100% SAF flight marks a historical first for the PT6 engine series

LONGUEUIL, Quebec, Dec. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney Canada and
Leonardo today announced the successful completion of the first flight for an
AW139 using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in both PT6C-67C engines. The
75-minute flight and ground tests, which took place at Leonardo's facility in
Cascina Costa di Samarate, Italy, evaluated engine performance at multiple
power variations and demonstrated no significant differences in the response
to the new fuel compared with the use of Jet A1 fuel. Pratt & Whitney is an
RTX (NYSE: RTX) business.

"Flights such as these are instrumental in our efforts to ensure 100% SAF
compatibility for our engines," said Maria Della Posta, president, Pratt &
Whitney Canada. "This is the first time a PT6 engine has been flown using 100%
SAF, marking this as a significant milestone for the unrivaled engine series.
Proving the engine's capability with drop-in SAF provides the foundation for
the future of the PT6 in sustainable aviation and builds on its legacy of
success."

Ensuring compatibility with 100% SAF is part of Pratt & Whitney's strategy of
enabling more sustainable aviation through the pursuit of smarter
technologies, cleaner fuels, and greener business practices, supporting the
aviation industry's goal of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

"The results of this first demonstration flight are a further testament to the
outstanding design of the AW139, its high performance, and the excellent
relationship we have with Pratt & Whitney Canada," said Gian Piero Cutillo,
managing director, Leonardo Helicopters. "This flight demonstrates another
tangible benefit of the most successful helicopter in its class and provides
a positive way forward to the many operators carrying out missions in all
weather conditions as they aim for more ambitious sustainability goals."

Pratt & Whitney Canada engines have achieved more than one billion hours of
flight across the entire fleet since the introduction of the PT6 in 1963. 
Nearly 3,000 PT6C engines have been manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Canada and
the engine has contributed more than 8.5 million hours towards this milestone
which underscores the trust and confidence placed of aircraft operators
worldwide. Read more about Pratt & Whitney's history of innovation here.

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of
aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. To learn more, visit
www.prattwhitney.com.

About RTX 
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than
180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to
redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading
businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are
advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational
success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing
to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company,
with 2022 sales of $67 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com.

 

SOURCE RTX

 
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