Pratt & Whitney’s PW4000 engine, designed and built specifically for the Airbus A330 widebodied twinjet, has reached the milestone of five million hours in service.
The PW4000-100, with a fan diameter of 100in (250cm), was Pratt & Whitney’s first high-thrust derivative based on the successful 94in PW4000-94 model. The engine has held significant market share on the A330 since entry into service.
“We’re delighted that 20 airlines worldwide are operating A330 aircraft powered by the PW4000-100,” says Steve Heath, Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines’ president.
”The most experience brings the best reliability. The PW4000 has the most experience in its class and the PW4000-powered A330s have had the fewest service operation interruptions among the engines on this aircraft.
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“In relation to the Middle East customers, we were honored that Etihad Airways maiden flight was on a A330-200 with this PW4000-100 engine.”
Eurofly signed a letter of intent on 12 October to lease two additional Pratt-powered A330-200 aircraft, with deliveries to begin in late 2006. Eurofly’s 12-strong aircraft fleet already includes three A330s.
In addition, earlier this year Northwest Airlines and Air Caraibes ordered PW4000-powered A330 aircraft.
The PW4000-100 engine entered service in December 1994, already approved for 90min extended twin-engine operation (ETOPS), the first derivative engine ever to qualify for ETOPS prior to service entry. The engine received 180min ETOPS approval in July 1995 and has continuously maintained that approval. The approval permits long-range flights of up to 180min from an alternate airport, allowing more direct, time-saving trans-oceanic flights.
Pratt & Whitney also offers the commercially certified off-the-shelf PW4000-100 propulsion system for the Airbus A330-200-based multirole tanker transport (MRTT) military aircraft, as well as the Airbus KC-30 tanker platform for the USAF.
GEOFF THOMAS
Source: Flight Daily News