Pratt & Whitney Announces Kingfisher Airlines as First Advantage70 Customer
LONDON, July 18 / FARNBOROUGH AIRSHOW -- Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company, announced today that Kingfisher Airlines, a premier India-based airline, will be the first customer for the PW4000 Advantage70 upgrade. The engine upgrade, developed for the PW4168A, which powers A330 aircraft, will improve engine performance, increase durability and reduce maintenance costs.
"With this upgrade, Kingfisher Airlines will lower the operating costs on their new fleet of A330 aircraft," said Steve Heath, president, Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines. "In developing the Advantage70, we combined our engineering expertise and knowledge of the engine's performance in service to implement design improvements that add value to our customers' businesses."
The Advantage70 is a bundle of technology enhancements. A new high- pressure compressor (HPC) ring case, based on the highly successful designs used on other PW4000 models that power 747 and 777 aircraft, will lower fuel consumption and extend maintenance intervals. New high-pressure turbine (HPT) technologies will improve the durability of this key module and extend the engine's time on wing. An improved TALON II combustor will further improve durability.
Software enhancements also are available, including an improved FADEC system and an enhanced Advanced Diagnostic Engine Management (ADEM) system. The new FADEC systems allow pilots more flexibility in matching take-off and climb thrust power with specific flight requirements. The upgraded ADEM system improves the ability to analyze engine performance data, providing better input for more effective maintenance planning.
The Pratt & Whitney Advantage70 is scheduled for certification in 2008. At that time, new engines delivered to Kingfisher Airlines will incorporate the upgrade, and PW4000 engines already in operation will be upgraded during their first maintenance shop visit.
The PW4168A, one of Pratt & Whitney's PW4000 growth models, was designed specifically for the Airbus A330 aircraft. It provides exceptional reliability, competitive fuel performance and excellent environmental characteristics. Today, more than 2,700 PW4000 family engines are in service with 90 million hours of cumulative service experience.
Pratt & Whitney has over 17,000 aircraft engines in service with hundreds of airlines around the world. Additionally, Pratt & Whitney is a leading partner in two joint venture companies to manufacture commercial aircraft engines: the International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500, which operates on the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, and the Engine Alliance (EA) GP7200 engine, FAR 33 certified on the new Airbus A380.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., USA, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.
Source: Pratt & Whitney
CONTACT: Jennifer Arsenault of Pratt & Whitney, +1-860-565-9600, or jennifer.arsenault@pw.utc.com
Web site: http://www.pratt-whitney.com/
