ATR has received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certificates for its ATR 72 and 42 regional turboprop aircraft outfitted with Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW127XT-M engine. Purpose-built for the ATR turboprops, the engine earned its Transport Canada type certification in August 2022 and was certified by EASA last September. The PW127XT-M is expected to provide 40 percent extended time on wing, 20 percent lower maintenance costs and a 3 percent improvement in fuel efficiency over previous-generation PW127-M engines.
“We designed the PW127XT-M for ATR 72/42 aircraft with the latest materials and technologies to offer improved time on wing and fuel efficiency,” said Edward Hoskin, Pratt & Whitney Canada vice president for engineering. “For example, we increased the capacity of both the low-pressure and high-pressure compressors, and we enhanced the efficiency of the power turbine. As well, we created a step change in all components cyclic lives supporting the improved time on wing and maintenance intervals.”
The PW127XT-M was introduced at the Dubai Airshow in November 2021. The engine is scheduled to enter service with launch customer Air Corsica before the end of the year. Pratt & Whitney announced last June that its next PW127 variant, the PW127XT-S, is in the works and will power the in-development Deutsche Aircraft D328eco.
With the possible exception of FedEx feeders, this aircraft will never see service in any US passenger airline.
Why would that be?
Because the flying public in the United States expects a jet when they buy a ticket.
Also because FedEx is not a passenger airline.
Look up Roselawn IN accident. After that happened American Eagle moved all their ATR’s to warm climates to avoid icing issues. Around 2005 they phased them out completely. David B. is correct, American airline passengers do not like to ride on anything with a prop. I have seen some cases in the pt135 world where a charter business was lost when the client figured out they were paying for a prop plane. Even the Q400 is not flown any more in the lower 48.
That is a pity, as the 400 fills a sweet point for many routes, the ATR has a problem with S/E performance. What is this magical jet that carries 36 people 400 miles?