Pratt & Whitney Canada Creating PT6C-67C Overhaul Line In Singapore

SINGAPORE—Pratt & Whitney Canada is creating a new overhaul line in Singapore for its PT6C-67C engines—a second location for the overhaul capability, complementing its Saint Hubert Engine Center in Canada.

Being established in response to growing demand, the new line is expected to be fully operational by 2025. The PT6C-67C engines power the Leonardo AW139 medium-twin helicopter.

“One of the primary reasons why we’re expanding the MRO capability of our Singapore facility is to give customers more choice and have another location where the C-67C can be maintained,” explains Irene Makris, Pratt & Whitney Canada vice president of customer service. “Singapore will answer to where the demand is growing.”

The facility expects to begin inducting engines in the third quarter of 2024, with the initial overhaul completed in the first quarter of 2025. A new modular test cell will also be established at the facility, and installation of the modules—being constructed in Canada—is slated for completion in the first quarter of 2025.

“We’re anticipating that as of September, when the line is set up, that we’re going to start to do some repairs for this engine . . . so that we can also create more capacity in our other facility in Quebec,” Makris tells Aviation Week.

“So, even if the test cell is not up and running,” she adds, “as soon as they can start inducting engines here, it will take a load off our other centers and Montreal, which allows us to process other engines. Having this flexibility is key.”

The test cell’s modular design will ease and speed the installation process, Makris notes. It will also come with connected capability, allowing for remote data analysis.

“We can actually analyze the data of this test cell from Canada, from any other location,” Makris said. “In terms of ease of analysis, there’s going to be a data acquisition system that allows for real-time troubleshooting.”

Over 600 PT6C-67C engines are in service in the Asia-Pacific region, and P&WC expects that number will continue to grow. Its Singapore facility, founded in 1983, already provides: overhaul-level services for the PW100 family of regional turboprop engines; and repair capabilities for its APS3200 auxiliary power unit for the Airbus A320 as well as a variety of its other turboprop, turbofan and turboshaft engines. It completed its 5,000th overhaul in 2020.

“We are investing in Singapore; we are investing in this facility,” Makris adds. “Overall in the APAC region, we support 1,400 customers—we have 10,000 engines flying, so it’s quite significant. Us growing our facility here and our capabilities in Singapore is instrumental to our customers and the support in the region.”