Looking to give new turboprop sales a boost, Pratt & Whitney Canada has unveiled an incentive plan to help manufacturers using its PT6 engines in new aircraft.
The Canadian manufacturer will offer the first 400h of power-by-the-hour engine service free, which equates to one or two years of service for most turboprop operators.
“In my recollection it’s the first time we’ve offered this on a paid-per-hour programme,” says Nick Kanellias, P&WC’s general manager for general aviation programmes.
The new feature in the company’s decades-old ESP power-by-the-hour programme is intended to help aircraft manufacturers that rely on the ubiquitous PT6 to attract more buyers. In some cases the engine offer could be packaged with power-by-the-hour deals at the airframe level, Kanellias says.
“The challenge is always how do you add sales,” he says. “The more you help an OEM sell an aircraft, the better you will be longer-term.”
The PT6, meanwhile, continues its long evolution in technology. The latest version of the engine, the PT6-140A, was unveiled at last year’s show, offering improved thrust from high-temperature airports on hot days. P&WC is still contemplating the next major upgrade for the venerable turboprop, which could include uniting the PT6’s trusty turbomachinery to electronic engine controls.
“We are not ready to announce it yet. We are working on it,” Kanellias says. “We’ve been working with many of our OEMs. They’re all very excited.”
Source: Flight Daily News
