Pratt & Whitney Aircraft was established in Hartford, Connecticut, by 37-year-old Frederick B. Rentschler, an aircraft engine designer from Ohio who had developed a consuming passion for aviation.

Pratt & Whitney Canada was originally established and founded as a service center for its parent company's aircraft engines. However, the production of Wasp engines was transferred to Pratt & Whitney Canada when the founding entity shifted focus to develop jet engines.

A now legendary engine, the PT6™ engine celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The original PT6 engineering team decided to start with a 500 shaft horsepower engine – something that critics found counterintuitive at a time when the piston engine ruled the small-aircraft aviation world. But it turned out to be a bold and brilliant choice…

Originally developed for a United States Navy Assault Support Helicopter program, the experiential Hiller Ten99 helicopter was the first aircraft to fly solely under PT6 engine power! Pratt & Whitney Canada's early emphasis on a version of the PT6 for helicopters culminated on May 25, 1965, with certification of the groundbreaking PT6B-9 turboshaft engine.

Pratt  & Whitney Canada launched the development of the turbofan engine in 1966 to meet the demand from Cessna Aircraft Company for an aircraft powered by fan jets that would cruise at 400 mph. A pioneer design in the category of small fan jets, the JT15D produced 2,200 lbs of thrust in its initial version.

In the 1980s, P&WC began converting piston-powered agricultural aircraft to PT6A engine power immediately increasing aircraft productivity by 60%. We would go on to develop eight PT6A engine models specifically for the ag market.

When shipments for the PW100 engine family began, they quickly became the preferred customer choice in the regional turboprop segment.

The PW300 engine flew for the first time on the company’s Boeing 720 test bed. The engine family powers an impressive line of mid-size business jets and is recognized in the 4,700 to 8,000-lb thrust class for its low fuel consumption, economical operation and environmental friendliness.

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The PW500 engine family is launched and has become the clean and clear leader in the highly demanding fractional ownership business jet market, powering light to mid-size business jets in the 2,900 to 4,500 pound thrust class. Its low fuel consumption ensures attractive operating economics  and environmental friendliness.

The formal launch of a full-scale technology demonstrator, the PW625F, is launched. The PW600 engine family is the preferred engine family for a new generation of light jets in the 900 to 3,000 pound thrust class. It is compact, fuel efficient, clean and delivers excellent operating economics.

The APS5000, developed specifically for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, entered into service as the first all-electric auxiliary power unit (APU) for large commercial aircraft.

This major milestone for the PT6C-67A engine enabled it to be used on the BA609 (now AW609) commercial tiltrotor. This aircraft was designed to operate vertically, horizontally, and anywhere in between. It was the world’s first commercially available tiltrotor aircraft.

Since entering into service, the PW800 engine has been powering a new generation of business jets.

A now legendary engine, the PT6™ engine celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. The original PT6 engineering team decided to start with a 500 shaft horsepower engine – something that critics found counterintuitive at a time when the piston engine ruled the small-aircraft aviation world. But it turned out to be a bold and brilliant choice…

Pratt & Whitney Canada begins development of a hybrid electric flight demonstrator in partnership with Collins Aerospace. The demonstrator targets a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency, a key part of the company’s roadmap for enabling more sustainable aviation, with the potential to enhance efficiency across many future aircraft applications.