Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6

PT6
A PT6A-20 on display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Type Turboprop / turboshaft
National origin Canada
Manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada
First run 1960[1]
Major applications AgustaWestland AW139
Beech King Air and Super King Air
Cessna 208 Caravan
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
Pilatus PC-12
Number built 51,000 (as of November 2015)[2]
Unit cost 750 hp -135A: $560,000[3]; 1,050 hp PT6A-60A: $955,000; 1,100 hp PT6A-68: $855,000[4]
Variants Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T

The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 is a turboprop aircraft engine produced by Pratt & Whitney Canada. Its development began in 1958, it was first run in February 1960, first flew on 30 May 1961, entered service in 1964 and has been continuously updated since. It consists of two sections: a gas generator supplying hot gas to a free power turbine, and is often mounted backwards with the intake at the rear and the exhaust on the sides. By November 2015, 51,000 had been produced logged 400 million flight hours from 1963 to 2016, it is known for its reliability with an in-flight shutdown rate of 1 per 651,126 hours in 2016. The PT6A covers the power range between 580 and 1,940 shp (430 and 1,450 kW) while the PT6B/C are turboshaft variants for helicopters.

Development

In 1956, PWC's President, Ronald Riley, foreseeing the need for engines with much higher power-to-weight ratio, ordered engineering manager Dick Guthrie to establish a development group to create a turboprop engine designed to replace piston engines. Demand for the Wasp radial engine was still strong and its production line's output was robust and profitable. Riley gave Guthrie a modest budget of C$100,000. Guthrie recruited young engineers from the National Research Council in Ottawa and from Orenda Engines in Ontario. In 1958, the group began development of a turboprop engine intended to deliver 450 shaft horsepower. The first engine was powered up and run successfully in February 1960.[1][5] It first flew on 30 May 1961, mounted on a Beech 18 aircraft at de Havilland Canada's Downsview, Ontario facility. Full-scale production started in 1963, entering service the next year.

It gained certification in 1963 and its first application was the Beech Queen Air, enticing the U.S. Army to buy a fleet U-21 Utes, launching the King Air and its over 7,000 deliveries since.[6] From 1963 to 2016 power-to-weight ratio was improved by 50%, brake specific fuel consumption by 20% and overall pressure ratio reached 14:1.[7] Its development continues and while today its high-level configuration is the same as in 1964, P&WC updated the PT6 including single-crystal turbine blades in the early 1990s, and FADEC should be introduced. Its pressure ratio is 13:1 in the AgustaWestland AW609 tiltrotor.[8]

In response to the General Electric GE93, in 2017 Pratt & Whitney Canada will launch demonstration tests of engine core technology and systems for a proposed 2,000hp engine to replace the most powerful versions of the PT6.[9] Likely a development of the PT6C core, it would fit between the 1,750 shp PT6C-67C/E and the 2,300 shp PW100 family, and be ready to launch by the end of 2017 for an initial helicopter platform with a 10-15% reduction in brake specific fuel consumption.[10] This 2,000 hp development target a new market: a Super PC-12, a more powerful TBM, or a bigger King Air; to better integrate the propulsion system and the maintenance plan, propeller and electronic engine controller are tested in October 2017, new elements are running and a full demonstrator is expected to run by year end.[11]

PW100

When de Havilland Canada asked for a much larger engine for the DHC-8, roughly twice the power of the Large PT6, Pratt & Whitney Canada responded with a new design initially known as the PT7, later renamed Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100.

Design

Epicyclic reduction gears on Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 gas turbine engine.

All versions of the engine consist of two sections that can be easily separated for maintenance: a gas generator supplies hot gas to a free power turbine.[12] The starter has to accelerate only the gas generator, making the engine easy to start, particularly in cold weather.[12] Air enters the gas-generator through an inlet screen into the low-pressure axial compressor. This has three stages on small and medium versions of the engine and four stages on large versions. The air then flows into a single-stage centrifugal compressor, through a folded annular combustion chamber, and finally through a single-stage turbine that powers the compressors at about 45,000 rpm. Hot gas from the gas generator flows into the power turbine, which turns at about 30,000 rpm. It has one stage on the small engines and two stages on the medium and large ones. For turboprop use, this powers a two-stage planetary output reduction gearbox, which turns the propeller at a speed of 1,900 to 2,200 rpm. The exhaust gas then escapes through two side-mounted ducts in the power turbine housing. The turbines are mounted inside the combustion chamber, reducing overall length.

In most aircraft installations the PT6 is mounted backwards in the nacelle, so that the intake side of the engine is facing the rear of the aircraft. This places the power section at the front of the nacelle, where it can drive the propeller directly without the need for a long shaft. Intake air is usually fed to the engine via an underside mounted duct, and the two exhaust outlets are directed rearward. This arrangement aids maintenance by allowing the entire power section to be removed along with the propeller, exposing the gas-generator section. To facilitate rough-field operations, foreign objects are diverted from the compressor intake by inertial separators in the inlet.[13]

from left to right: propeller mount, reduction gear, exhaust, 2-stage free power turbine, 1-stage gas generator turbine surrounded by the combustor, 1 centrifugal then 4 axial compressor stages, intake then accessories

Operational history

By the 40th anniversary of its maiden flight in 2001, over 36,000 PT6As had been delivered, not including the other versions.[14] Up to October 2003, 31,606 delivered engines have flown more than 252 million hours.[15] Till November 2015, 51,000 have been produced.[2] The family logged 400 million flight hours from 1963 to 2016.[7]

The PT6 family is known for its reliability with an in-flight shutdown rate of 1 per 333,333 hours up to October 2003,[15] 1 per 127,560 hours in 2005 in Canada,[16] 1 per 333000 hours from 1963 to 2016,[7] 1 per 651,126 hours over 12 months in 2016.[17] Time between overhauls is between 3600 and 9000 hours and hot-section inspections between 1800 and 2000 hrs.[18]

While lacking a FADEC, autothrottle can be installed as an aftermarket upgrade with an actuator, initially in single-engine aircraft like a PC-12 and possibly in twin-turboprop aircraft.[19]

Variants

The main variant, the PT6A, is available in a wide variety of models, covering the power range between 580 and 920 shaft horsepower in the original series, and up to 1,940 shp (1,450 kW) in the "large" lines. The PT6B and PT6C are turboshaft variants for helicopters. In US military use, they are designated as T74 or T101.

Several other versions of the PT6 have appeared over time :

  • the Large PT6 added another power turbine stage and a deeper output reduction, producing almost twice the power output, between 1,090 and 1,920 shp (1,430 kW) ;
  • the PT6B is a helicopter turboshaft model, featuring an offset reduction gearbox with a freewheeling clutch and power turbine governor, producing 1,000 hp (750 kW) at 4,500 rpm ;
  • the PT6C is a helicopter model, with a single side-mounted exhaust, producing 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) at 30,000 rpm, which is stepped down in a user-supplied gearbox ;
  • the PT6T Twin-Pac consists of two PT6 engines driving a common-output reduction gearbox, producing almost 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) at 6,000 rpm ;
  • the ST6 is a version intended for stationary applications, originally developed for the UAC TurboTrain, and now widely used as auxiliary power units on large aircraft, as well as many other roles.[20]

PT6A

A PT6A-67D engine on a Beechcraft 1900D. The turbine exhaust is prominent.

The PT6A family is a series of free-turbine turboprop engines providing 500 to 1,940 shp (433 to 1,447 kW)

Small[21]
variantequivalent
shaft
horsepower		shaft
horsepower		applications[22]
PT6A-6525 eshp500 shp
PT6A-11AG528 eshp500 shpAir Tractor AT-400
Schweizer Ag-Cat G-164B Turbine
PT6A-15AG715 eshp680 shpAir Tractor AT-400
Air Tractor AT-501
Frakes Turbocat
Schweizer Ag-Cat G-164B Turbine
PT6A-20579 eshp550 shp
PT6A-21580 eshp550 shpBeechcraft King Air C90A/B/SE
Beechcraft Bonanza (turbine conversion)
Royal Turbine Duke
Evektor EV-55 Outback
PT6A-25, -25A580 eshp550 shp
PT6A-25C783 eshp750 shpEmbraer EMB 312 Tucano
Pilatus PC-7/PC-7 MKII Turbo Trainer
PZL-130 Orlik / TC-II Turbo-Orlik
PT6A-27715 eshp680 shpBeechcraft Model 99A, B99
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300
Harbin Y-12
Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante
Let L-410 Turbolet
Pilatus PC-6/B Turbo-Porter
PT6A-28715 eshp680 shp
PT6A-29778 eshp750 shp
PT6A-34783 eshp750 shpEmbraer EMB 110 Bandeirante/111
Embraer EMB 821 Carajá
Grumman Mallard (turbine conversion)
JetPROP DLX
PAC P-750 XSTOL
Quest Kodiak
Vazar Dash 3 Turbine Otter
Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter 400
PT6A-34AG783 eshp750 shpAir Tractor AT-502B
Frakes/Grumman Turbo-Cat Model A/B/C
Pacific Aerospace 750XL
PZL-Okecie PZL-106 Turbo Kruk
Schweizer Ag-Cat G-164B/D Turbine
Thrush Model 510P
PT6A-35787 eshp750 shpBlue 35
JetPROP DLX
PT6A-36783 eshp750 shp
PT6A-38801 eshp750 shp
PT6A-110502 eshp475 shpSchweizer AG-Cat Turbine
Royal Turbine Duke
PT6A-112528 eshp500 shpCessna Conquest I
PT6A-114632 eshp600 shpCessna 208 Caravan
PT6A-114A725 eshp675 shpCessna 208 Caravan
PT6A-116736 eshp700 shp
PT6A-121647 eshp615 shp
PT6A-135787 eshp750 shpBeechcraft King Air F90-1/C90GT/C90GTi/C90GTx
Blackhawk XP135A Cheyenne Series
Blackhawk XP135A Conquest I
Blackhawk XP135A King Air 90 Series
Cessna Conquest I
Lancair Evolution
Silverhawk 135/StandardAero C90/E90
StandardAero Cheyenne Series
StandardAero King Air F90
T-G Aviation Super Cheyenne
Vazar Dash 3 Turbine Otter
Medium[21]
variantequivalent
shaft
horsepower		shaft
horsepower		applications[22]
PT6A-40749 eshp700 shp
PT6A-41903 eshp850 shpBeechcraft King Air 200/B200
Piper Cheyenne III/IIIA
PT6A-42903 eshp850 shpBeechcraft C-12 HuronF
Beechcraft King Air 200/B200
Blackhawk XP42 King Air 200
StandardAero King Air 200
Blackhawk XP42A C-208 Caravan Series (-42A)
Piper Meridian
PT6A-451070 eshp1020 shp
PT6A-501022 eshp973 shp De Havilland DHC-7
PT6A-52898 eshp850 shpBeechcraft King Air B200GT/250
Blackhawk XP52 King Air 200/B200
Enhanced Aero B200GTO
StandardAero King Air 200/B200
PT6A-60, -60A1113 eshp1050 shpBeechcraft Super King Air 300/350
PT6A-60AG1081 ehsp1020 shpAir Tractor AT-602
Ayres Thrush 550P/660
PT6A-61902 eshp850 shp
PT6A-62950shp[23]KAI KT-1/KO-1
Pilatus PC-9 Turbo Trainer
Large[24]
variantequivalent
shaft
horsepower		shaft
horsepower		applications[22]
PT6A-64747 eshp700 shpEADS Socata TBM 700
PT6A-65B, -65R[21]1249 eshp1173 shpBeechcraft 1900/1900C
Polish Aviation Factory M28 Skytruck
PT6A-65AG, -65AR[21]1298 eshp1220 shpAir Tractor AT-602
Air Tractor AT-802/802A/802AF/802F
Ayres Thrush 660/710P
PT6A-66, -66A, -66D905 eshp850 shpNational Aerospace Laboratories SARAS
Piaggio P.180 Avanti
Ibis Ae270 HP (-66A)
EADS Socata TBM 850
PT6A-66B1010 eshp950 shpPiaggio P180 Avanti II
PT6A-67, -67A, -67B, -67P1272 eshp1200 shpBeechcraft Starship
Epic LT
IAI Heron TP
Pilatus PC-12 (-67B)
Pilatus PC-12NG (-67P)
PT6A-67D1285 eshp1214 shp Beechcraft 1900D
PT6A-67AF, -67AG, -67R, -67T1294 eshp1220 shpAir Tractor AT-802/802A/802AF/802F (-67AG)
Ayres Thrush 710P (-67AG)
Basler Turbo BT-67 (-67R)
Shorts 360 / 360-300 (-67R)
PT6A-67F1796 eshp1700 shpAir Tractor AT-802/802A/802AF/802F
PT6A-681324 eshp1250 shpT-6A Texan II
Pilatus PC-21 (-68B)
Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano (-68C)
T74
United States military designation for the PT6A-20/27, used in the Beechcraft U-21 Ute.
T101
United States military designation for the T101-CP-100 / PT6A-45R, used in the Shorts 330 and Shorts C-23 Sherpa.
United States military designation for the T101-CP-100 / PT6A-45R, used in the Shorts 330 and Shorts C-23 Sherpa.

PT6B

PT6B-9
The PT6B-9 is a 550 hp (410.1 kW) turbo-shaft engine for use in helicopters. A later mark of PT6B is rated at 981 hp (731.5 kW).

PT6C

PT6C
The PT6C is a 1600 to 2300 horsepower (1190 to 1720 kW) engine for helicopters and tiltrotors.

PT6D

PT6D-114A
The PT6D-114A is based on the PT6A-114A. The main difference is the deletion of the second-stage reduction gearing and output shaft, because the engine is intended for integration with a combining gearbox incorporating power turbine governors and a propeller output shaft.[25]
Soloy Dual Pac
2x PT6D-114A engines driving a single propeller through a combining gearbox, capable of independent operation.

PT6T

PT6T
Twin PT6 power units combining outputs through a gearbox for use in helicopters.

ST6

ST6
The ST6 is a variant of the PT6 that was originally developed as a powerplant for the UAC TurboTrain power cars, but later developed as a stationary power generator and auxiliary power unit.
ST6B
The ST6B-62 was a 550 bhp (410 kW) version of the PT6 developed for use in the STP-Paxton Turbocar, raced in the 1967 Indianapolis 500.[26]

STN

STN 6/76
The STN 6/76 was a 500 bhp (370 kW) version of the PT6 developed for use in the Lotus 56, raced in the 1968 Indianapolis 500 and later in Formula One races, in 1971.[27][28]

Applications

The engine is used in over 100 different applications.

PT6A

PT6B

PT6C

PT6D

ST6

STN

Engines on display

Specifications (PT6A-6)

Data from Jane's 62-63,[30]

General characteristics

  • Type: Turboprop
  • Length: 62 in (1,575 mm)
  • Diameter: 19 in (483 mm)
  • Dry weight: 270 lb (122.47 kg)

Components

  • Compressor: 3-stage axial + 1-stage centrifugal flow compressor
  • Combustors: annular reverse-flow with 14 Simplex burners
  • Turbine: 1-stage gas generator power turbine + 1-stage free power turbine
  • Fuel type: Aviation kerosene to MIL-F-5624E / JP-4 / JP-5
  • Oil system: Split system with gear type pressure and scavenge pumps, with pressure to gearbox boosted by a second pump.

Performance

Gas Turbine Engines[31]
model stages[lower-alpha 1] power SFC /h OPR dia. leng. weight applications
hpkWlb/hpg/kWlbkg
PT6A-213, 1 / 1, 1550 4100.63 380 —19 in
48 cm		62 in
1.6 m		327 148Beech Bonanza, King Air C90A/B/SE
PT6A-253, 1 / 1, 1550 4100.63 380 —353 160Beech T-34C
PT6A-25C3, 1 / 1, 1750 5600.595 362 —338 153Embraer Tucano, Pilatus PC-7, PZL-130 Orlik
PT6A-114/A3, 1 / 1, 1600–675 447–5030.64 390 —350 160Cessna 208 Caravan
PT6A-135A3, 1 / 1, 1750 5600.585 356 7338 153Cessna Conquest, Piper Cheyenne, Beech King Air F90
PT6A-423, 1 / 1, 2850 6300.601 366 866.9 in
1.70 m		403 183Beech King Air 200/B200, C-12 Huron
PT6A-60A4, 1 / 1, 21,050 7800.548 333 8.572.5 in
1.84 m		475 215Beech Super King Air 300/350
PT6A-644, 1 / 1, 2700 5200.703 428 8.570 in
1.8 m		456 207Socata TBM 700
PT6A-664, 1 / 1, 2850 6300.62 380 9.5456 207Piaggio P.180 Avanti
PT6A-65B4, 1 / 1, 21,100 8200.536 326 —74 in
1.9 m		481 218Ayres Turbo-Thrush, PZL M28 Skytruck, Beech 1900/C
PT6A-67B4, 1 / 1, 21,200 8900.546 332 10.8530 240Pilatus PC-12
PT6A-67D4, 1 / 1, 21,271 9480.546 332 10.8515 234Beech 1900D
PT6A-684, 1 / 1, 21,250 9300.54 330 —72.2 in
1.83 m		572 259Beech T-6 Texan II
PT6A-68B4, 1 / 1, 21,600 1,2000.54 330 —575 261Pilatus PC-21
PT6B-37A3, 1 / 1, 1900 6700.584 355 —19.5 in
50 cm		64.4 in
1.64 m		385 175Agusta A119 Koala
PT6C-67A4, 1 / 1, 11,940 1,4500.47 290 —22.5 in
57 cm		59.3 in
1.51 m		——Bell/Agusta BA609
PT6C-67C4, 1 / 1, 21,100 8200.49 300 ———Agusta A 139
PT6T-3B/BF2 × 3, 1 / 1, 11,800 1,3000.6 360 —43.5 in
110 cm		65.8 in
1.67 m		668 303Bell 412/SP/HP/EP
PT6T-3D/DF2 × 3, 1 / 1, 11,800 1,3000.595 362 —692–681 314–309Bell 412/SP/HP/EP
PT6T-62 × 3, 1 / 1, 11,875 1,3980.591 359 —660 300Bell 212, 412/SP/HP/EP, Sikorsky S-58T
PT6T-682 × 3, 1 / 1, 11,970 1,4700.591 359 —665 302Bell 412HP
  1. ↑ compressor / HP, LP turbine

See also

Related development

Comparable engines

Related lists

References

    1. 1 2 "PT6 engine - The Legend". PT6 Nation. Pratt & Whitney Canada. Archived from the original on 2013-02-19.
    2. 1 2 "GE, Textron team up to make new turboprop engine, aircraft". Reuters. 16 Nov 2015.
    3. ↑ Dick Karl (September 22, 2010). "The Price for Power". Flying magazine.
    4. ↑ "Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A". Aeroweb. May 17, 2012.
    5. ↑ "Pratt's 'dirty dozen'". Aviation Week and Space Technology: 42–43.
    6. ↑ Business Aviation Now (Oct 30, 2012). "The Little Engine That Could ... and Did". Aviation Week Network.
    7. 1 2 3 "A Discussion with Pratt & Whitney Canada President John Saabas". AirInsight. June 9, 2016.
    8. ↑ "GE Aviation unveils strategy for dethroning PT6". Flight Global. 25 July 2016.
    9. ↑ Stephen Trimble (22 May 2017). "Core technology tests set to begin for PT6 replacement". Flight Global.
    10. ↑ Paul Jackson (May 23, 2017). "PT6 – Engine of Change?". ShowNews. Aviation Week Network.
    11. ↑ Guy Norris (Oct 12, 2017). "PWC Opens Up On New PT6 Growth Engine". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
    12. 1 2 "An Engine Ahead of Its Time". PT6 Nation. Pratt & Whitney Canada.
    13. ↑ Thomas A. Horne (December 2013). "The PT6 at". AOPA Pilot: T-7.
    14. ↑ "Pratt & Whitney Canada's PT6 Turboprop Marks 40 Years of In-flight Success" (Press release). Pratt & Whitney Canada. 18 June 2001. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013.
    15. 1 2 "FLIGHT TEST: Pilatus PC-12 - Power of one". flightglobal. 21 September 2004.
    16. ↑ "Evaluation-Single-Engine Turbine Airplanes Transporting Passengers in IFR Flight or Night VFR". Transport Canada. 16 January 2012.
    17. ↑ Mike Gerzanics (6 June 2016). "Flight test : Upgraded Pilatus PC-12 powers ahead". flightglobal.
    18. ↑ "PT6A engine TBO and HSI scheduling". Pratt & Whitney Canada.
    19. ↑ John Croft (Jul 12, 2017). "Autothrottle Feature Provides Hands-Free Turboprop Power". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
    20. ↑ "Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42 Turboprop". Turbokart.com.
    21. 1 2 3 4 "Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 Series Type Certificate" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. 2007-06-21.
    22. 1 2 3 "PT6A". Pratt & Whitney Canada.
    23. ↑ "Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-41 series engines Type Certificate" (PDF). EASA. 31 August 2007.
    24. ↑ "PT6A -64/-66/-67/-68 Series Type Certificate" (PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved 2009-11-28.
    25. ↑ "PT6 Type Certificate Data Sheet Information". Federal Aviation Administration.
    26. ↑ Bill Kilpatrick (August 1967). "The Big Engine That Almost Did". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines: 69–71. ISSN 0032-4558. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
    27. ↑ "Lotus, Pratt & Whitney 56B". Research Racing. Grand Prix Racing Online.
    28. ↑ "Lotus 56B Pratt & Whitney". F1 Technical.
    29. ↑ "Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 Cutaway". New England Air Museum.
    30. ↑ Taylor, John W.R. FRHistS. ARAeS (1962). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962-63. London: Sampson, Low, Marston & Co Ltd.
    31. ↑ "Gas Turbine Engines" (PDF). Aviation Week. 28 January 2008. pp. 137–138.
    • "PT6A". Pratt & Whitney Canada.
    • "PT6B". Pratt & Whitney Canada.
    • "PT6C". Pratt & Whitney Canada.
    • "Embraer EMB-110 type certificate" (PDF). National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil. 20 December 1972.
    • How PT-6 Turbines Are Overhauled. AVweb. Aug 14, 2015. Lay summary.

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