Pratt & Whitney is preparing to deliver the first PW1217G geared turbofan for testing at its West Palm Beach, Fla., site following the completion of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) unit at its Middletown Engine Center in Connecticut.
A second production standard PW1217G core, without the low-pressure system, is also being readied to begin stress tests at Pratt & Whitney Canada's Longeuil site in Montreal. The PW1200G engine test program will include eight test engines over the next 24 months.
Pratt & Whitney completed initial ground testing of its first PW1000G series engine, the PW1524G for Bombardier's CSeries airliner, in February following nearly 200 hours of testing. Engine core testing, meanwhile, concluded last year with more than 260 accumulated test hours. In addition to the core testing, Pratt & Whitney has performed module-level testing for the GTF program, including fan drive gear system testing with simulations of more than 60,000 takeoffs and landings, and extensive testing on the low- and high-pressure compressor. Pratt says to date the tests have met or exceeded "efficiency and operability goals."
A total of 16 test engines will be involved in the first two certification programs, which will conclude with entry into service on the CSeries in 2013 and on the MRJ in 2014.
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