Helicopters

Since the launch of our first turboshaft engine, we’ve been powering an increasingly diverse set of helicopter missions - from EMS to search and rescue to corporate to security and defence with proven reliability and availability as well as the optimal power and performance. Our diversified helicopter engine portfolio has 38 models and we’ve delivered over 18,000 engines, with more than 10,500 still in service today powering 5,400 helicopters with over 75M+ flight hours.

Hiller Ten99 Flies Under Full PT6 Engine Power

1965

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. It was developed alongside the -6 turboprop, the main difference being the single stage reduction gearing in the turboshaft that produced a higher shaft speed of 6,230 rpm.

The first aircraft to fly soley under PT6 engine power, proving the engine's power and versatility.

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PT6C-67A Engine Powers a Historic First Test Flight

2005

The BA609 (now AW609) successfully completed the first test flight with transition to full airplane mode, reaching a speed of 219 mph. The second test aircraft made its maiden flight in November 2006 and took part in the Paris Air Show flying display in June 2007.

The PT6C-67A turboshaft engines power the rotors located at the ends of the aircraft's wings to ensure the vertical takeoff and landing versatility of a helicopter. The aircraft's unique speed and range characteristics, combined with its hovering abilities making it ideal for search and rescue, offshore and passenger transport among other mission capabilities.

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PT6C-67A Engine Receives Transport Canada Type Certification

2017

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.

The tiltrotor combines the speed, comfort, and impressive altitude of a turboprop aircraft with the vertical takeoff and landing abilities of a helicopter.

In 2023, Pilots from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flew the Leonardo AW609 tiltrotor representing the first time the regulator’s pilots had flown the type, as it moves towards the final stage of certification testing activity.

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