PT6 E-Series Engine: Driving Customer Service Step-Change

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The PT6 E-Series engine is the first turboprop engine in General Aviation to offer a dual-channel integrated electronic propeller and engine control system. It powers the Pilatus PC-12 NGX, the next step in the PC-12 and PC-12 NG aircraft family, which are some of the world’s most popular and versatile single-engine turboprops...

Delivering 10% more power for quicker climb and greater speed, the PT6 E enables an enhanced flying experience with a push-button start, single-lever operation and full digital envelope protection. Pratt & Whitney achieved this by leveraging its more-than 1.5 billion hours of civil engine experience, adding advanced materials and cooling, an electronic engine control (EEC), and more.

Next-Level Engine Coverage

Just as the technology behind the PT6 E-Series engine marks a major leap forward in General Aviation, it has also allowed Pratt & Whitney to develop an improved Eagle Service Plan (ESP) that provides more value and peace of mind through reduced operating costs, leading-edge data insights and unmatched coverage, including foreign object damage (FOD) repairs, environment-induced damage, and much more.

"It is a first for the General Aviation market to offer the most extensive FOD coverage. It’s not only FOD gap coverage; it also offers coverage for the whole event, including engine removal, installation and rental," explains Maxime Robert, Product Manager for Maintenance Programs at Pratt & Whitney.

"We developed this coverage based on feedback from our customers and engine service providers to ensure that the ESP developed for the PT6 E-Series delivers one comprehensive level of protection and an enhanced service experience for operators. “It’s a program that we can all stand behind,” says Maxime.

Lower, More Predictable Costs

The PT6 E-Series engine offers several advantages: maintenance intervals double from 300 to 600 hours, time between overhauls (TBO) increases from 3,500 to 5,000 hours, and 40% of line maintenance tasks are eliminated.

Going well beyond this, the ESP for this engine gives customers even more peace of mind with comprehensive coverage of the main drivers of maintenance expenses. The program has been built around three areas to maximize aircraft availability, provide the most extensive cost protection, and simplify the ownership experience.

This new program includes the standard ESP Gold coverage already known to customers, plus routine periodic inspection (parts and labour), fuel nozzle refurbishment, engine washes, digital engine services and the aforementioned repairs for environmental damage and foreign object damage. All of these benefits brought together result in an operating cost at least 15% lower than ESP Gold for the PT6A-powered PC-12 NG.

Higher Engine Availability

Along with the exceptional value, the engine’s ESP increases aircraft availability through a variety of services, including Pratt & Whitney's advanced Oil Analysis Technology, engine condition trend monitoring (ECTM), and a Pratt & Whitney predictive analytics team.

Since the engine is digitally connected, customers enrolled in the ESP can benefit from data trend monitoring and, if required, for troubleshooting.

With this information, Pratt & Whitney’s predictive analytics team – a team of engineers and analysts – can assess the engine’s data with the help of algorithms and advanced analytics. When needed, this team contacts operators proactively to discuss potential issues and optimize the scheduling of maintenance events which maximize customer flight time.

"The digital capabilities of the PT6 E-Series engine allow us to monitor and record performance data to better assess what’s going on with the engine," Maxime adds. "This enables us to offer personalized support at a very competitive price point."

Moreover, the PT6 E-Series engine coverage offers benefits common to all ESP programs. For instance, there’s no minimum requirement in terms of flying hours. Operators are billed according to how often they fly, whether that’s one or 1,000 hours. And in the event that the aircraft is sold, the benefits are fully transferable to the next owner.

With an unprecedented level of coverage and price, Pratt & Whitney expects the market to make this maintenance program the new standard for the General Aviation segment.

Single Point of Contact

“When we talk to operators about what they’re looking for in a maintenance plan, they told us that besides full coverage, they want simplicity and convenience,” remarks Maxime.

"To address this need, we’re working closely with aircraft OEM Pilatus and its network of Authorized Pilatus Service Centres to streamline and simplify the customer experience – from on-boarding through delivery of services – by incorporating this ESP program into their CrystalCare support program for the PC-12 NGX.

"Customers won’t need to deal with multiple contacts; everything will be channeled through a single point of contact," Maxime concludes.

To learn more about the new plan or other ESP products, email GetESP@pwc.ca.

The added benefits of ESP program developed for the PT6 E-Series engine will be rolled out to other engines as the technology becomes available. In the meantime, we continue to enhance the ESP options for other platforms to give customers more value. Read about some recent examples.

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