Advanced Pratt & Whitney Turboprop engine for the Next generation ATR 42/72 Regional aircraft has been Certified !

Pratt & Whitney Canada has announced that Transport Canada Civil Aviation has type certified the PW127XT-M regional turboprop engine that will power new builds of ATR aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney Canada's proven ability to deliver world-class, dependable engines and new technology means that the PW127XT-M engine offers increased savings to customers. Specifically:

• 40% extended time on wing by moving to the right the schedule for both engine overhaul intervals and hot section inspections compared to the PW127M.
• 20% less maintenance costs ; with only two scheduled engine events over 10 years.

On 15th November 2021 , during the Dubai Airshow , Pratt & Whitney Canada had announced its new regional turboprop PW127XT engine series, designed with the latest materials and technologies to deliver the next level of efficiency, time-on-wing and service.

The company had celebrated the launch with ATR, with the PW127XT-M engine that is purpose-built to offer word-class reliability and increased value for ATR 42/72 aircraft.

“The PW127XT-M engine is the new standard for operating economics, maintenance and sustainability for regional aircraft,” said Timothy Swail, vice president, Regional Aviation and APU Product Marketing & Sales for Pratt & Whitney Canada. “This certification is an important step toward the entry into service of new ATR aircraft and we continue to support ATR as it builds a strong order book.”

The PW127XT-M engine offers 40% extended time on wing, 20% lower maintenance costs and 3% improvement in fuel efficiency, due to engine improvements making the regional turboprop even more sustainable.

Regional turboprops currently boast up to 40% improvement in fuel efficiency compared with similar missions for the 30-70 passenger regional jet aircraft market.

“We worked closely with ATR earlier this year on the flight testing of our new PW127XT-M and the previous generation PW127M engines using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF),” said Swail. “Most notably, Braathens Regional Airlines flew one of its ATR 72-600 aircraft using 100% SAF in both its PW127M engines with excellent results.”

ATR Chief Executive Stefano Bortoli believes , "The PW127XT engine series sets a new precedent in regional aviation and is available today. This is a concrete illustration of our belief that an incremental approach is the answer to a sustainable future, whilst helping airlines save costs." 

In June, Pratt & Whitney Canada announced that Deutsche Aircraft had selected the PW127XT engine to power the new D328eco. The selected engine model – the PW127XT-S – will be developed according to the D328eco timeline.