Aircraft

Pratt & Whitney readies GTF for second phase of testing

By Lori Ranson

Pratt & Whitney will begin the second phase of ground-testing of its GTF geared turbofan in April at its testing site in West Palm Beach, Florida. In preparation for the testing P&W says the flight inlet and Goodrich-supplied nacelle system have been installed on the GTF demonstrator. Phase two testing is focusing on engine performance, acoustic characteristics and nacelle system validation, it adds. The engine has been selected to power the Bombardier CSeries and Mitsubishi Regional Jet. Ground testing of the GTF began in November 2007, and the demonstrator engine has logged a total of 130h.