By Dayna Fedy-MacDonald | August 30, 2022 Estimated reading time 4 minutes, 7 seconds.
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) on Aug. 26 announced that Transport Canada has type certified the PW127XT-M regional turboprop engine that will power the next generation of ATR 42/72 aircraft.
The PW127XT engine series was first announced in November 2021 at the Dubai Airshow. The ‘M’ model in particular, which will power all new builds of ATR aircraft, was designed to offer increased savings to operators, as well as enhance sustainability efforts.
Thanks to various improvements made by P&WC, the PW127XT-M engine offers 40 percent extended time on wing, 20 percent lower maintenance costs, and three percent improvement in fuel efficiency. The engine is P&WC’s approach to creating a more sustainable future while also helping airlines save costs.
On the topic of sustainability, P&WC noted that “regional turboprops currently boast up to 40 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared with similar missions for the 30- to 70-passenger regional jet aircraft market.”
Timothy Swail, P&WC’s VP of regional aviation and APU product marketing and sales, added: “We worked closely with ATR earlier this year on the flight testing of our new PW127XT-M and the previous generation PW127M engines using 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
“Most notably, Braathens Regional Airlines flew one of its ATR 72-600 aircraft using 100 percent SAF in both its PW127M engines with excellent results.”
While the certification of the PW127XT-M engine is an important step toward the entry into service of new ATR aircraft, Pratt & Whitney Canada has said it will “continue to support ATR as it builds a strong order book.”
ATR CEO Stefano Bortoli recently shared that the company has “definitely seen customers deciding to buy ATR because of the XT [engine] advantages.”
Bortoli noted the example of the airline Maldivian, which has signed a contract with ATR for three aircraft, to be delivered at the end of 2022 with the XT engine on board.
P&WC certainly has its work cut out over the next several years. Recently, in June, the engine OEM announced that Deutsche Aircraft selected the PW127XT engine to power the new D328eco – a sustainable regional aircraft. The selected engine model, the PW127XT-S, “will be developed according to the D328eco timeline.” The aircraft, which is being designed to carry 43 passengers, is expected to make its first flight in 2024, with entry into commercial service slated for 2025.
