ATR prepares for first PW127XT delivery

ATR is preparing to deliver the first 72-600 with the improved Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127XT-M engine, now that the powerplant has been certified by Transport Canada Civil Aviation in August. The new engine is to become the new standard engine for the ATR as well as for the Deutsche Aircraft turboprop that is still under development. ATR prepares for first PW127XT delivery.

Pratt & Whitney Canada launched the PW127XT at last November’s Dubai Airshow. With XT standing for ‘Extra Time on wing’, the engine maker stresses that the upgraded version from the current PW127M will benefit from a forty percent on-wing time extension. Engine overhauls extend to 20.000 flight hours, helping operators to reduce their operating costs by twenty percent over the lifecycle of the aircraft. Other improvements will result in a three percent better fuel efficiency. The next day in Dubai, Air Corsica became the launch customer with an order for five 72-600s, with the first deliveries scheduled for this November. The same day, Afrijet followed with an order for three 72-600s with the new engines. More orders have followed since, including those from Maldivian.