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Pratt andamp; Whitney Canada and Leonardo announced Thursday the successful first flight of an AW139 using 100 percent SAF in both PT6C-67C engines. The 75-minute flight and ground tests took place outside of Leonardo's facility in Cascina Costa di Samarate, Italy. These tests determined the engine performance at different power variations, showing no significant differences in the response to a new fuel compared with the use of Jet A1 fuel.
"Flights such as these are instrumental in our efforts to ensure 100% SAF compatibility for our engines," Pratt andamp; Whitney Canada President Maria Della Posta said. "This is the first time a PT6 engine has been flown using 100% SAF, marking this as a significant milestone for the unrivaled engine series. Proving the engine's capability with drop-in SAF provides the foundation for the future of the PT6 in sustainable aviation and builds on its legacy of success."
The Pratt andamp; Whitney strategy for sustainable aviation includes ensuring compatibility with 100 percent SAF. The company's strategy is implemented through the pursuit of smart technology, clean fuels and green business practices. This strategy will help support the industry goal of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
Pratt andamp; Whitney engines have amassed over one billion hours of flight across the entire fleet since the PT6 was introduced in 1963. The company has manufactured nearly 3,000 PT6C engines and it has contributed 8.5 million hours toward the fleet milestone, highlighting the trust and confidence placed in the engine family around the world.
"The results of this first demonstration flight are a further testament to the outstanding design of the AW139, its high performance, and the excellent relationship we have with Pratt andamp; Whitney Canada," Leonardo Helicopters Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo said. "This flight demonstrates another tangible benefit of the most successful helicopter in its class and provides a positive way forward to the many operators carrying out missions in all weather conditions as they aim for more ambitious sustainability goals."