Eagle Services Asia Inducts First Pratt & Whitney GTF™ Engine

SINGAPORE, Jan. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney's Singapore engine center, Eagle Services Asia (ESA), a member in the global network of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities that service Pratt & Whitney's GTF engines, has inducted its first PW1100G-JM engine for overhaul. Eagle Services Asia is a joint venture between SIA Engineering Company and Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).  

PW1100G-JM geared turbofan engine. ESA has invested nearly US$85 million to upgrade and modernize the facility to perform GTF MRO, which includes training employees and acquiring new tooling, advanced capabilities and machinery," said Brendon McWilliam, senior director, Aftermarket Operations – Asia-Pacific, Pratt & Whitney. "ESA's new GTF and GP7200 engine capabilities join its established support of the existing PW4000 engine fleet. Modifications to the facility will improve productivity, reduce set up time and boost efficiency across operations. Current PW4000 engine customers will also benefit from these efficiencies."

The facility is uniquely modernized and re-purposed to handle multiple, simultaneous engine overhaul lines for Pratt & Whitney and Engine Alliance engine models – the PW4000 family, PW1100G-JM, and GP7200 engines, respectively.  ESA also re-configured its engine test capability to accommodate the new GTF engine model. Engine Alliance LLC is a joint venture of Pratt & Whitney and General Electric.

In 2019, ESA will gradually introduce a new ground-based flow system, which will enable visual line of sight on the GTF engine overhaul line. In the new system, engine modules will move from one station to another, improving the visibility of operations through the line from disassembly to assembly and test, in contrast to the old engine repair work bay. Already proven in the automotive industry, the system improves productivity while maximizing the use of existing space. At full capacity, the flow lines can accommodate up to six GTF engines at a time.

"This is an exciting period of expansion and growth for us," said Ying-Kiong Yip, managing director, ESA. "In addition to broadening our capabilities on next generation aircraft engines, this expansion enables us to invest in our engineers and technicians by training them to handle advanced materials and automation."

The GTF MRO network spans three continents, comprised of engine centers operated by the industry's leading MRO companies, including Pratt & Whitney, MTU Aero Engines (MTU), Japanese Aero Engines Corporation (JAEC), Lufthansa Technik (LHT) and Delta TechOps.

The GTF MRO network is part of Pratt & Whitney's EngineWise™ service portfolio, which provides engine operators with a variety of aftermarket services to maximize engine performance and fleet availability. Visit www.EngineWise.com/contact for an interactive map of GTF MRO network providers.

A319neo with CFM LEAP-1A engines wins joint Type Certification from FAA and EASA

The A319neo powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines has achieved joint Type Certification from both the US FAA and European EASA airworthiness authorities. This means that now all three aircraft models – the A319neo, A320neo and A321neo – are certified by the international authorities to operate with the CFM LEAP-1A engine option.

This latest achievement follows an intensive certification flight test programme since the A319neo’s first flight in March last year, with this variant having now accumulated over 500 flight hours. The A319neo with LEAP-1A engines is the fifth* airframe/engine variant of the NEO family certified over the last three years. Its certification also paves the way for the ACJ319neo (Airbus Corporate Jet) variant to enter service with VIP operators during the first half of 2019.

The A319neo is the shortened-fuselage member of Airbus’ game-changing A320neo product line. This airliner can seat 140 passengers in two classes or as many as 160 in a high-density layout with a range of up to 3,750 nautical miles, while its impressive takeoff performance enables it to operate from even the most challenging and remote airports. Meanwhile, the ACJ319neo’s ability to fly eight VIP passengers 6,750 nm or 15 hours will bring much of the world within non-stop range.

The A320neo Family offers a choice of two new-generation engine options (the PurePower PW1100G from Pratt & Whitney and the LEAP-1A from CFM International), as well as the incorporation of large, fuel-saving “Sharklet” wingtip devices. Moreover, the NEO Family is the world’s best-selling single-aisle product line with over 6,200 ordered from over 100 customers since its launch, capturing some 60% share of the market. Thanks to their wide cabins, all members of this family offer unmatched comfort in all classes and 18” wide seats in economy as standard.

*Note: Certification of the A319neo with LEAP-1A engines follows these previous variant Type Certifications:

• - A320neo/P&W – 24 November 2015;
• - A320neo/CFM – 31 May 2016;
• - A321neo/P&W – 15 December 2016;
• - A321neo/CFM – 1 March 2017.

Pratt & Whitney GTF™ Engine Orders Exceed 2,000 Over Last 12 months

FARNBOROUGH, England, July 20, 2018/PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), today announced that in the past 12 months it has received more than 2,000 new GTF engine orders and commitments, including options and spares, from 22 customers. 

"The GTF's strong order book over the past year is a reflection of the tremendous value the engine provides to operators," said Chris Calio, president of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney. "This engine architecture is allowing customers to realize fuel burn and environmental benefits that are unmatched in the industry. We are very excited about the future of the GTF engine."

There are nearly 200 GTF-powered aircraft in service today with 26 operators around the world. Total engine flight hours are almost 1 million for the combined GTF-powered fleet of A320neo family, A220 and E190-E2 aircraft.

Since entering into service in early 2016, the GTF engine family has delivered on its promised ability to reduce fuel burn by 16 to 20 percent, and to significantly reduce regulated emissions and noise footprint.

Pratt & Whitney is investing more than $1.3 billionin its global manufacturing and aftermarket network, with 21st century technology, to transform and modernize its U.S. and global footprint to support the ramp up of the GTF and other engine programs.