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Pratt & Whitney has completed the first phase of flight testing for its Geared Turbofan demonstrator as it prepares to fly the engine with Airbus in September.

The GTF demonstrator amassed 43.5 hours over 12 flights that demonstrated the handling characteristics and overall performance of the engine up to 40,000 feet and .85 mach, exploring the full flight regime up to redline at 30,000 lbs of thrust.

The test programme, which began 11 July, included a robust package of accelerations and decelerations, high angle of attack takeoffs and other maneuvers, including wind up turns, as well as the starter assist and windmill relight capability of the engine.

Phase one focused on short range aircraft performance in preparation for applying the lessons learned to the Mitusbishi Regional Jet and Bombardier CSeries, both expected to enter service in 2013.

The engine "met our prediction of what the ground to altitude relationship would be" and P&W has an improved understanding of the "geared components in terms of optimizing the engine for fuel [burn]," says Bob Saia vice-president of next generation product family.

P&W achieved "near double-digit" improvements in fuel burn on the demonstrator and validates the 12-15% improvement P&W hopes to deliver in service. In addition, Saia adds that P&W is "on the path to hit the maintenance cost values we've committed to for ANA and Lufthansa," launch customers for the MRJ and CSeries.

P&W identifies three objectives for the two-month, 75-hour flight test programme with Airbus, which is set to kick-off in the second half of September on a A340-600 test bed. First, validate the data from the 747 test bed by repeating phase one conditions. Second, explore the acoustic characteristics, not a done on phase one because of the older and significantly louder P&W JT9Ds on the 747. Finally, "work closely with Airbus" to determine the ideal design for mounting engine components on the pylon to improve the aerodynamic characteristics.

The engine is scheduled for handover to Airbus during the 3rd week of August.

Airbus has distanced itself from any suggestion that its role in GTF flight testing implies future usage on a commercial platform, though Airbus Executive Vice President for Programmes Tom Williams said recently it would take 24 to 30-months to develop a GTF-powered A320 if the airframer decides to do so.

P&W says it is "on track" for the new PurePower engine family and expects detailed design work to begin when the demonstrator flight testing is complete. The non-geared PW810 engine core will begin ground testing in mid-2009, followed in December by testing for the MRJ's PW1217G and 1st quarter 2010 for the CSeries PW1524G. For the PW1000Gs, twin 40-50 hour flight test programmes are planned for the mid 3rd quarter of 2010 and "a few months later" on the PW1217G and PW1524G respectively.

Posted as written for Flight International

FARNBOROUGH - Pratt & Whitney has been approached by an unspecified manufacturer to conduct an initial study for a Geared Turbofan engine for a widebody application.

Vice President for P&W's Next Generation Product Family, Bob Saia tells FlightBlogger that the engine would be a PW4000 replacement in the 60,000 to 100,000 lb thrust range for a 250 passengers and above aircraft. Saia declined to specify which manufacturer, Airbus or Boeing, had commissioned the study.

Saia added that the request was for the 2020 or 2025 time frame, though Steve Finger, President of Pratt & Whitney, said in a separate interview that a PW4000 replacement could be ready as early as 2017 or 2018 if required.

"We think it will be about the end of the next decade - 2017 or 2018 - before we are ready to offer a geared turbofan in that thrust size," said Finger.

Saia emphasized the growth potential for the newly launched PW1000G family of engines. The gearbox permits for the optimization of the large diameter fan and engine core to maximize fuel burn and reduce noise.

Pratt & Whitney added that the application was not a second engine option on the Airbus A350 XWB.

Potential applications include a refresh or full replacement for Boeing's 777 family or a Airbus' A330. The PW4000 engine is offered currently on both 777 and A330 aircraft. Placing a geared turbofan engine on an A330 replacement or refresh would fill a gap in Airbus's product line between the A321 and A350-800, 185 to 270 seats for the next decade.

THIS STORY IS DEVELOPING AND WILL BE UPDATED

FARNBOROUGH -- On the heels of the launch of Bombardier's CSeries aircraft, engine maker Pratt & Whitney announced Monday it has commenced flight testing for its new Geared Turbofan engine that will power the new narrow body.

Flying under the wing of a Boeing 747SP, the GTF took to the sky for the first time Friday in Plattsburg, New York.

The GTF employs a gearbox to allow the engine fan to spin 3 times slower than the engine core allowing for increased airflow through the engine and reduced fuel burn and noise.

The GTF has been selected to power both the CSeries and the Mitsubishi Regional Jet which are both scheduled to enter service in 2013.

In dramatic fashion, Pratt & Whitney has produced a video previewing its upcoming flight test program for the new Geared Turbofan engine. The company graciously given FlightBlogger the trailer for its world premier here on the blog.

Some more background:

Geared Turbofan™ Engine Completes Phase II Ground Testing, Cleared for First Flight

BERLIN AIR SHOW 2008 - May 28, 2008 - Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan demonstrator engine has completed Phase II ground tests and has been cleared for flight testing on Pratt & Whitney's 747SP flying test bed mid-year.  Phase II, which began in April at Pratt & Whitney's advanced test facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., focused on engine performance and ground acoustics with the Geared Turbofan engine's flight capable nacelle system.  The engine completed 120 hours of testing during Phase II and has logged a total 250 hours since ground testing began in November 2007.  Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corp.

Now, without further delay...