Pratt & Whitney Canada has received approval from Transport Canada to increase cycle limits on its PT6A-140, -140A and -140AG engines. These increases, made possible through comprehensive parts testing and model analyses, will extend the life of Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) parts such as the power and compressor turbine disks and the impeller.
“We are committed to exploring and developing innovative solutions that keep our customers flying longer and at reduced operating and maintenance costs,” said Nicholas Kanellias, Vice President, General Aviation at Pratt & Whitney Canada. “For the vast majority of PT6A-140 series operators, these extensions will push the requirement to replace LCF parts further into the future.”
An engine cycle is counted every time an engine is started, flown and then shutdown. An abbreviated cycle is counted when an engine remains running between flights. The cycle limits for the PT6A-140-series engines have now been increased by up to 60 percent for the following parts: from 12,000 cycles to 16,000 cycles for the power turbine disk, from 10,000 cycles to 16,000 cycles for the compressor turbine disk and from 19,000 cycles to 29,000 cycles for the impeller. Also as it pertains to the power turbine disk, the number of abbreviated cycles needed to count as a full cycle has increased from two to five.
