The Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan demonstrator engine returned home to Connecticut after concluding a two-phase, 120-hour flight test program under the wings of a Boeing 747SP and Airbus A340-600. The PW1000G engine was shipped by air freight from Toulouse, arriving back in the United States where P&W will inspect the engine and analyze its findings from the flight test campaign.
The engine maker is set to begin detailed design of the PW1217G (17,000 lbs-thrust) and PW1524G (24,000 lbs-thrust) powerplants for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet and Bombardier CSeries, respectively. Ground testing of the PW1217G is planned for mid-2010 with certification in late 2011. Both aircraft are scheduled to enter service in 2013.Pratt & Whitney's new commercial engine is widely believed to be a front-running candidate to re-engine the 737 and A320 narrowbody aircraft in the near term. Airbus has said previously that it would require 24-30 months to re-engine the A320.
The PW1000G engine uses a gearbox to optimize the large diameter fan and engine core to improve the fuel burn. Pratt & Whitney hopes to deliver a 12-15% improvement in specific fuel consumption for airline operators.
Photos courtesy Pratt & Whitney
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