Certification of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545B engine for Cessna's Citation XLS business jet is expected by year-end. The upgraded Citation Excel twinjet is powered by an engine producing 4.9% more thrust than the PW545A on the basic aircraft.
The latest member of P&WC's PW500 family is flat-rated at almost 4,000lb thrust (17.8kN) up to 28ºC (83ºF). The engine also offers a 2% increase in maximum climb/cruise thrust above 37,000ft (11,300m). Features include single-channel electronic engine control with hydromechanical fuel-control backup, integrally bladed rotor fan, dual-channel "burst mode" ignition system, and integral oil tank.
The PW545B first flew on P&WC's Boeing 720 flying testbed in January, and Canadian certification is set for this month, with US approval in January. Deliveries of the Citation XLS are due to begin in the second half of next year.
Source: Flight International
