Pratt and Whitney’s GTF Advantage Engine flight testing starts on Airbus’ A320neo

Pratt and Whitney have announced that Airbus has started to test its GTF Advantage engine on an A320neo aircraft.

This flight test will seek to mature the engine by testing it in a number of environments, which includes hot and cold weather and operation from high-altitude environments.

Engine certification is expected to come in the early part of 2023, with the engine already having completed more than 2,400 hours and 7,800 cycles of testing which includes a successful test on 100% SAF.

Capable of a takeoff thrust improvement of 4% at sea level, the engine could enable longer range and higher payload, making it particularly suitable for A321XLR aircraft and unlocking more destinations for airlines. In addition, the engine will offer an increase of up to 8% takeoff thrust at higher altitudes.

“GTF engines already offer the lowest fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for the A320neo family,” said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “The GTF Advantage engine extends that lead. It also enhances aircraft capability by increasing thrust and protects durability by running cooler. For airlines, this means new revenue opportunities and better operating economics. Our revolutionary geared fan architecture is the foundation for more sustainable aviation technologies in the decades ahead, and the GTF Advantage engine is the next step in that journey.”