Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and Leonardo have announced the successful inaugural flight of an AW139 helicopter using 100% SAF, marking a significant step in sustainable aviation. The helicopter was powered by the PT6C-67C engine, utilising 100% sustainable aviation fuel. The 75-minute flight and ground tests, conducted on November 21, at Leonardo’s facility in Cascina Costa di Samarate, Italy, included evaluations of engine performance at various power levels. Impressively, the tests revealed no notable differences in the engine’s response to the new fuel compared to traditional Jet A1 fuel.
“The results of this first demonstration flight are a further testament to the outstanding design of the AW139, its high performance, and the excellent relationship we have with Pratt & Whitney Canada,” said Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director, Leonardo Helicopters. “This flight demonstrates another tangible benefit of the most successful helicopter in its class and provides a positive way forward to the many operators carrying out missions in all weather conditions as they aim for more ambitious sustainability goals.”
As part of Pratt & Whitney’s commitment to advancing sustainable aviation, ensuring the compatibility of its engines with 100% SAF aligns with the broader industry objective of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Pratt & Whitney, a business under RTX, aims to contribute to this goal by embracing smarter technologies, cleaner fuels and environmentally friendly business practices.
Highlighting the success Pratt & Whitney Canada engines which have accumulated over one billion hours of flight across the entire fleet since the introduction of the PT6 in 1963, the PT6C engine has played a pivotal role. With nearly 3,000 PT6C engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Canada, contributing over eight-and-a-half-million hours, the accomplishment underscores the trust and confidence placed by aircraft operators worldwide in these engines.
