Pratt & Whitney Canada Delivers 75,000th Production Engine

HELI-EXPO, DALLAS, TEXAS--(Marketwire - Feb. 12, 2012) - Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is celebrating a major milestone with the delivery of its 75,000th engine. The engine, a PT6C-67C, was delivered recently to AgustaWestland for installation on the AW139. P&WC is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE:UTX).

P&WC's relationship with AgustaWestland is in its fifth decade. Since delivery of the first Twin-Pac^® engine for the AB412 model helicopter in 1970, AgustaWestland has taken delivery of more than 3,600 P&WC engines to power the AW109 Power, AW139, AW119, Grand and Grand New model helicopters.

"This is an achievement for which P&WC employees around the world can rightly be proud," said Richard Dussault, Vice President, Marketing, P&WC. "It is a milestone that speaks to the continued strong demand for our products based on their performance and dependability."

The PT6C-67C

The PT6C is the turboshaft variant of the PT6A-67 turboprop engine, which has accumulated over 10 million hours of operation. The PT6C engine builds upon the demonstrated reliability, durability and low cost of operation of the PT6A engine family.

P&WC developed the new PT6C series of engines, rated from 1,679 shp to 1,940 shp takeoff (thermodynamic), and redefined the medium helicopter category while setting new levels for operational and performance standards.

The PT6C engine has grown to its current size class by the incorporation of a progression of technological advancements. This derivative of the PT6 family offers the best power-to-weight ratio of any engine in its class.

The modular design of the PT6C permits easier access to all Line Replacement Units (LRUs). The layout also allows operators to perform heavy maintenance in the field.

Helicopter Demand Remains Strong

P&WC remains optimistic regarding helicopter market demand. P&WC helicopter engine deliveries have more than tripled over the last decade. P&WC powers 60 per cent of all new civil helicopter applications in the light-twin, and intermediate and medium segments that have entered service in the past 15 years.

"Looking ahead, we forecast 50 per cent unit delivery growth in civil turbine helicopters from 2010 to 2020," states Dussault, "More specifically, light-twin and intermediate and medium segments will grow by 75 per cent during this period."

P&WC continues to invest in the technologies that will power the next generation of helicopters in each of these key market segments.

About Pratt & Whitney Canada

Founded in 1928, and a global leader in aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is shaping the future of business aviation with dependable, high-technology engines. Every second, a P&WC-powered aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in the world. P&WC's engines, with close to 600 million hours in the air, are the industry benchmark for innovative design, dispatch reliability, operating economics and easy maintenance. P&WC is firmly committed to ensuring that its products are designed, produced and operated while minimizing environmental impacts throughout their life cycle.

There are currently more than 49,000 engines in service on more than 28,000 aircraft operated by some 10,200 operators in 200 countries. The most extensive support network in the industry, which includes more than 30 company-owned and designated service facilities, supports this global fleet.

P&WC has been taking front-line services to the next level with its Customer First Centre (CFirst). CFirst brings together a multidisciplinary and multilingual support team to resolve issues so that customers can return to service quickly. CFirst handles more than 120,000 contacts every year.

Based in Longueuil, Quebec (Canada), P&WC is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE:UTX). UTC is a diversified company providing high-technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.