Pratt & Whitney Canada announced that it is combining artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning with its innovative oil analysis technology to further increase the solution’s precision, predictive and preventive maintenance capabilities for helicopter engines. The use of AI and machine learning is another example of how the company continues to innovate its aftermarket solutions to help customers move to 100 percent planned maintenance environments – avoiding unplanned events and reducing costs.
“Through AI we are further enhancing our capabilities to see patterns and preventive maintenance insights in the massive data set our oil analysis technology provides,” said Irene Makris, vice president, Customer Service, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “With this deeper understanding of what’s going on inside the oil-wetted components of the engine, we are able create a ‘know early, respond early’ environment for the customer that helps manage risk, and prevents disruptions in service.”
This kind of preventative maintenance allows customers to avoid unscheduled engine removals and other maintenance events by providing visibility on potential issues as much as a thousand hours in advance. The oil analysis technology is available on a majority of Pratt & Whitney Canada engine models including the PW210 and has analysed over fifty-five thousand oil samples from customer engines. Based on the guidance provided by the oil analysis technology, dozens of events across the fleet have transformed into scheduled interventions, dispatch availability has increased, and the solution has saved PW210 customers over US$1 million in averted secondary damage.
“Our oil analysis technology was launched in 2017 and enables proactive and predictive maintenance by identifying potential issues before they occur without intrusive inspection,” said Nicolas Chabée, vice president, Marketing, Helicopters, Pratt & Whitney Canada, “AI makes the task of comparing oil samples with past data simpler, more efficient and easily scalable.”
Spain selects Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B3 engines
Pratt & Whitney Canada announced its PW206B3 helicopter engine has been selected by the government of Spain to power 36 Airbus H135 helicopters. The new order is part of a multi-agency acquisition program to equip the Spanish Air force, Spanish Navy, Guardia Civil and National Police with the latest generation light-twin helicopter.
“The PW206B3 is the third variant of the PW206B engine developed to power successive models of the H135 helicopter, one of the most popular light twin-engine helicopters on the market with more than 25 years of service in military and civilian applications,” said Nicolas Chabée, vice president, Sales & Marketing, Helicopters, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “We are confident this helicopter and engine combination will serve the needs of the Spanish Military, Guardia Civil and National Police forces for many years to come.”
The PW200 engine family offers a proven powerplant with exceptional performance and mission flexibility, low fuel consumption, light weight, and compact architecture. With reliability levels that exceed industry standards, it remains the engine of choice for the helicopter industry and its enduring design allows for minimum maintenance, helping to trim operating costs.
PT6B-37As chosen by Mercy Flight Central
Pratt & Whitney Canada announced Mercy Flight Central, a critical care helicopter operator serving the Finger Lakes, Central and Southern Adirondack Regions of New York State, will renew its fleet with the purchase of four new Leonardo AW119Kx helicopters powered by the PT6B-37A engine.
“Mercy Flight Central plays a critical role in the public health system, poised at a moment’s notice to transport patients and giving them often life-saving critical care while in flight,” said Nicolas Chabée, vice president, sales & marketing, Helicopters, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “The single engine AW119Kx has proven itself over the years to be a reliable workhorse in a variety of missions and configurations. The PT6B-37A engine has reliability and availability performance metrics that exceed industry benchmarks.”
“As Mercy Flight Central evaluated options for our replacement aircraft, we focused on equipment that would serve our needs for decades to come,” said Jeff Bartkoski, President and CEO, Mercy Flight Central. “The AW119Kx with the PT6B engine was our clear #1 choice. The engine provides us with an outstanding record of reliability and performance, while achieving efficiencies that exceeded other alternatives.”
With the fleet exceeding 2.8 million hours, the 1,000-shaft horsepower class PT6B engine series has been produced in seven models and currently powers a wide range of missions including humanitarian, firefighting, law enforcement, security and defence, VIP transport, and others. Roughly 1,500 PT6B series engines have been manufactured to-date, almost half of which are still flying.
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Matt Driskill at matt.driskill@asianaviation.com
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Head of Sales Kay Rolland at kay.rolland@asianaviation.com
