Pratt & Whitney Canada Reaches Data Acquisition System Milestone

ORLANDO, FLORIDA--(Marketwire - Oct. 29, 2012) - Pratt & Whitney Canada has provided more than 1000 of its customers more rapid access to flight data: 4,500 advanced data acquisition system (ADAS) devices are now installed on aircraft located around the world. The announcement was made today by Raffaele Virgili, vice-president, customer service, P&WC, during the National Business Aviation Association's 65th annual meeting and convention in Orlando, Florida. P&WC is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE:UTX).

P&WC helped pioneer diagnostic, prognostic and health management services for the aircraft engine industry. Its first on-board engine performance monitoring device was installed in 1995 on the PW305 series engines. Over the ensuing years, numerous new generations of the technology were introduced, each more powerful than the previous one, cumulating in more than 13,000 diagnostics systems in service. Capabilities continue to grow as customer needs evolve and the company continues to innovate across the breadth of its products and services.

"In 2011, we introduced our most advanced and comprehensive data acquisition unit ever, our FAST (Flight Data Acquisition Storage and Transmission System) product," said Virgili. "FAST is unique in that it goes beyond traditional diagnostics, prognostics and trend monitoring; the product can also acquire, store and transmit data from the aircraft Flight Data Recorder thus allowing for customer review of full Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) information. We believe that FAST will become our most popular data acquisition system ever."

Because FAST integrates all performance metrics into a single small lightweight hardware solution, it has considerable appeal in a variety of applications as it eliminates the need for scheduled manual downloads saving both time and money thanks to the built-in cellular web connectivity that ensures data is economically downloaded to the central data center after each flight. Data from FAST allows operators to plan their maintenance sessions in advance, taking advantage of overnight layovers, for example. Because the system provides early detection of emerging issues, preventative maintenance can be conducted before these minor issues affect dispatch availability. It also provides timely post-flight fault code/event review which enables determination of an aircraft's immediate availability. P&WC's ESP^® Pay-per-Hour program includes CAMP trend monitoring service that is also available for all other operators.

"FAST is installed on the Falcon 7X with almost 200 systems in service and has received supplementary type certification (STC) for the Bombardier Q400 regional turboprop and the Bombardier Learjet 60, while regulatory approval is pending for the Bombardier Q300 turboprop," said Virgili. "The new Cessna Grand Caravan EX powered by our new PT6A-140 will also include the FAST product."

Come and see us at NBAA, booth no. 3160

Interested operators are invited to drop by P&WC's booth to speak with a customer service representative.

Customer Service

We never forget that your engine has our name on it. So we work to keep it flying efficiently and reliably. P&WC has built the largest, most comprehensive customer service network in the industry around its 10,000 customers who operate in 200 countries.

Through its Customer First Centres in Montreal and Singapore, P&WC is always just a call or click away, providing unparalleled technical support. The P&WC network includes 30-owned or designated repair and overhaul facilities, seven parts distribution centres, 100 Field Support Representatives, mobile repair teams, 800 rental/exchange engines and 12 customer training facilities operated through FlightSafety International. P&WC offers comprehensive Pay-per-Hour service for fleet operators and business and general aviation customers, with more than 7500 engines currently enrolled in P&WC-backed hourly cost programs, including the ESP® and FMP® programs.

P&WC also offers repair and overhaul of components and accessories, and the sale of new, exchange and used serviceable parts. Advanced diagnostics are also offered, moving operators towards a totally planned operating environment.

About Pratt & Whitney Canada

Founded in 1928, and a global leader in aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is shaping the future of 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 more than 600 million hours in the air, are an 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.

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.