Pratt & Whitney has begun ground testing the first PW1217G engine for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet, with 16h completed as of 17 May at the company's West Palm Beach, Florida facility.
The engine, the first of eight planned for the MRJ's powerplant validation and certification, is fitted with more than 2,000 pieces of instrumentation and will be in testing through mid-year.
"We are very pleased with the initial results from the PW1217G engine test. It is meeting our pre-test expectations," said Bob Saia, vice president, Next Generation Product Family, who adds the engine has incorporated lessons learnt from testing on the geared turbofan engine architecture with the goal of bolstering technology readiness.
In addition to this first PW1217G, a test core will soon begin stress testing in Florida to validate the high pressure compressor and turbine sections.
The engine-maker said three additional PW1217G engines are in various stages of assembly and will begin testing shortly.
The PW1217G engine testing and certification effort will continue over the next two years, culminating in the first flight aboard the MRJ90 in 2012.
Entry into service of the 90-seat regional jet is scheduled for 2014 with Japan's All Nippon Airways.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
