Pratt & Whitney have announced that Airbus has started development flight testing of the GTF Advantage engine on an A320neo aircraft.

The early flight test campaign will continue to mature the engine by testing it in a variety of environments, including hot and cold weather and operation from high-altitude airports, the manufacturer said.

Engine certification will continue through the first half of 2023, including flights currently underway on the Pratt & Whitney flying test bed in Mirabel, Québec, Canada.

The engine has completed more than 2,400 hours and 7,800 cycles of testing, including a successful test on 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Lower fuel consumption

“GTF engines already offer the lowest fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for the A320neo family,” said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney.

“The GTF Advantage engine extends that lead. It also enhances aircraft capability by increasing thrust and protects durability by running cooler.

“For airlines, this means new revenue opportunities and better operating economics. Our revolutionary geared fan architecture is the foundation for more sustainable aviation technologies in the decades ahead, and the GTF Advantage engine is the next step in that journey.”

Higher thrust

The GTF Advantage engine lowers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 1 per cent compared to the current model GTF engine.

Capable of a takeoff thrust improvement of 4 per cent at sea level, the engine could enable longer range and higher payload, making it particularly suitable for A321XLR aircraft and unlocking more destinations for airlines.

In addition, the engine will offer an increase of up to 8 per cent takeoff thrust at higher altitudes. GTF Advantage will be intermixable and interchangeable with the current GTF engine to ensure maximum operational flexibility.
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