Pratt & Whitney Canada, a division of RTX, and Leonardo have announced the successful completion of the first flight for an AW139 helicopter using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in both PT6C-67C engines. The 75-minute flight and ground tests, conducted at Leonardo’s facility in Cascina Costa di Samarate, Italy, assessed engine performance under various power variations, revealing no significant differences in comparison to the use of Jet A1 fuel.
Maria Della Posta, president, Pratt & Whitney Canada said, “Flights such as these are instrumental in our efforts to ensure 100% SAF compatibility for our engines. This is the first time a PT6 engine has been flown using 100% SAF, marking this as a significant milestone for the unrivaled engine series. Proving the engine’s capability with drop-in SAF provides the foundation for the future of the PT6 in sustainable aviation and builds on its legacy of success.”