FWD: "Pratt making progress with Geared Turbofan, LLP certification"

Sorry to interrupt the other fascinating threads dominating the group
lately I received the following in e-mail and though it might be of
interest to some. Hope it's somewhat on-topic

Regards,
Jon

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Pratt making progress with Geared Turbofan, LLP certification
ATW Daily News - March 21
Pratt & Whitney said this week that it has installed the flight inlet
and nacelle system on its Geared Turbofan demonstrator engine and is
ready to begin the second phase of ground testing next month.
GTF demonstrator program partner Goodrich provided the system and
installation took place during a fit check that precedes connection of
final test sensors.
P&W President Steve Finger, briefing reporters at the company's East
Hartford headquarters, said, "The Geared Turbofan brings a new step
change in technology and lets us go to a steeper improvement path as
we capitalize on the bigger trade space with the new components" (ATW,
February 2008).
The next phase of testing features analyses of engine performance,
acoustic characteristics and the nacelle system to be conducted at
Pratt's West Palm Beach facility.
"The results surpassed our pre-test predictions in every major area,
demonstrating the fuel burn, noise and emissions characteristics of
this new architecture," VP-Next Generation
3
Product Family Bob Saia said. "As we enter Phase II testing, we will
validate the full performance and noise characteristics of this game-
changing technology." The first phase validated the design and
efficiency of the fan, low pressure compressor, fan drive gear system
and thermal management system (ATWOnline, Dec. 5, 2007).
"The Geared Turbofan will be available by 2013 and airlines don't have
to trade," Finger claimed. "They can get better fuel burn, better
greenhouse gas emissions, significantly lower noise and significantly
better economics." Last year the GTF was selected to power the new
Mitsubishi RJ and Bombardier CSeries. Pratt is in the process of
evaluating GTF components on 15 test rigs worldwide.
Separately, Pratt won US FAA STC authority for its CFM56-3 engine fan
and booster alternative life limited parts including the fan disk,
booster spool and fan shaft. "We are very excited about this
certification because it validates the Pratt & Whitney OEM-quality of
our CFM56-3 engine parts," VP and GM-Global Material Solutions Matthew
Bromberg said.
The STC grants each part FAA Chapter 5 life limits equal to the
original type certificate holder. Pratt is pursuing three additional
STCs covering the high-pressure compressor, high-pressure turbine and
low-pressure turbine.
http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=12136
Editor's Note: Pratt & Whitney's geared turbofan presentation at the
ATA's "Aviation and the Environment" Forum March 19-20 was a
fascinating view of engine fuel efficiency.
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