MUMBAI: The GTF Advantage engine achieved the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification for the Airbus A320neo family, according to an announcement made by Pratt and Whitney on Thursday. The Advantage is the latest engine from the GTF family to be certified, the first production engine deliveries are expected later this year.
“GTF engines already offer the lowest fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for single-aisle aircraft,” said Rick Deurloo, President of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “The GTF Advantage engine extends that lead and enhances aircraft capability, providing more thrust and even more value to operators of A320neo family aircraft, especially on longer-range aircraft like the A321XLR, all with a more durable configuration. With this certification and engine deliveries on track for later this year, it’s fitting we mark these milestones in 2025, as Pratt & Whitney celebrates a century of powering the future.”
The company said that the GTF Advantage will deliver 4-8% more takeoff thrust, enabling higher payload and longer range, unlocking new destinations for airlines. It offers better fuel efficiency with lower carbon emissions. “Pratt & Whitney is working to ensure that the GTF Advantage will be compatible with future specifications for 100% sustainable aviation fuel. Fully intermixable and interchangeable with today’s GTF engine model, GTF Advantage will become the production standard,” it added.
The GTF Advantage includes fully redesigned life-limited parts and technology enhancements throughout the gas path. “It is fundamentally more durable, with increased airflow in the core to lower operating temperatures and a state-of-the-art hot section to increase time on wing. In the high-pressure turbine (HPT), the enhancements include an advanced airfoil design with improved coatings. The HPT and combustor also feature optimised cooling hole size, shape, and location, with improved hole drilling techniques to reduce oxidation,” P&W said.
“India was an early adopter of the GTF engine and operators have benefited from its best-in-class fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions. With technological enhancements that deliver increased thrust, fuel efficiency, and durability in severe operating environments, we expect the GTF Advantage to be attractive to Indian operators,” said Ashmita Sethi, President & Country Head, Pratt & Whitney, India.
“The GTF Advantage test programme incorporated extensive endurance testing to advance product maturity at entry into service. The GTF Advantage accomplished more than twice the amount of testing compared to the current GTF engine. It also benefits from over 100,000 hours of engine and rig testing across all GTF programmes, along with 38 million flight hours of in-service operation. Certain elements of the GTF Advantage configuration can be incorporated into today’s GTF engine to support increased time on wing,” the company said.
To date, more than 2,200 GTF-powered aircraft have been delivered to over 80 customers worldwide. “GTF engines enable up to 20% better fuel efficiency and since entering service, have helped airlines save more than 2 billion gallons of fuel, equivalent to avoiding 20 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, compared to those aircraft powered by prior generation engines. Demand for the GTF engine remains strong, with 11,000 engine orders and commitments in total across all platforms,” said P&W.