Aircraft

Pratt & Whitney Canada today announced receiving certification for PW207D1 and PW207D2 turboshaft engines, moving Bell Helicopter's latest civil helicopter a step closer to entering service.

Transport Canada cleared both new members of the 25-year-old PW200 engine family that power the Bell 429 light-twin, which continues to be in flight tests, P&WC says.

Both engine models are rated at 621shp, offering about 9% more power than the baseline PW200. The PW207D2 differs from its companion model by offering a fuel heater.

PW200-class engines are installed on more than 800 helicopters in 56 countries, amassing 2.8 million hours of operating time.

As of September, Bell had accumulated more than 800 flight test hours on the 429 aircraft and expected to achieve certification in early 2009.