Pratt & Whitney Rolls Out 50,000th PT6

Image: Pratt & Whitney
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pratt & Whitney has announced the production of its 50,000th PT6 turboprop engine, marking an unmatched milestone in the aviation industry.
  • The PT6 engine family is extensively used, with over 25,000 engines currently in operation, accumulating more than 410 million flight hours across over 130 applications.
  • First running in 1960 and entering service in 1964, the PT6 series has continuously evolved, now offering over 70 PT6A models, including the latest PT6 E-Series launched in 2019.
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The 50,000th PT6 turboprop engine has rolled off of the Pratt & Whitney production line, according to an announcement from the company during NBAA’s Virtual Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (VBACE) on Wednesday. Pratt & Whitney reports that there are more than 25,000 PT6-family engines in operation at present with over 410 million flight hours accumulated. The engine family currently has more than 130 applications.

“This production milestone is unmatched in the industry,” said Irene Makris, Pratt & Whitney vice president of sales and marketing. “The achievement sits as the collective cornerstone of Pratt & Whitney in General Aviation. With the PT6 E-Series engine now at the forefront, we remain committed to pushing innovation as we’ve been doing since the very beginning.”

The PT6 ran for the first time in 1960, entering service in 1964. Pratt & Whitney currently offers more than 70 PT6A models, ranging from 500 SHP to over 1,900 SHP. The PT6 E-Series, the latest addition to the PT6 line, was launched in October 2019 and powers the Pilatus PC-12NGX.

Kate O'Connor

Kate is a private pilot, certificated aircraft dispatcher, and graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
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