NAAA eNewsletter - 03/04/2021

Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) has active commercial support programs (CSP) to help operators comply with certain Service Bulletins (SBs). A CSP campaign provides operators with replacement parts at a significant discount to encourage compliance before a possible event may occur. Participating in a CSP is an opportunity to comply with a recommended replacement interval to address safety-of-flight issues. A CSP also provides a substantial savings on the cost of the replacement part(s).

Commercial support programs originate in a Service Bulletin (SB) as a reference document with the cause, reason and instructions for compliance. CSPs have a termination date at which time the parts affected will no longer be offered at reduced pricing. It is best practice to comply with SBs and take advantage of CSP programs to offset the expense of SB compliance. Only PWC’s owned shops or designated overhaul facilities (DOFs) can assist with the handling and administration of CSP programs. There are no credits offered against unused commercial support programs, so it is imperative to use the CSP before the termination date.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, Pratt & Whitney Canada issued two CSP notifications on engine models used in agricultural and firefighting operations. The first was an extension of the CSP program for engine model PT6A-67AG on second-stage PT blades.

Second-stage PT blades on the PT6A-67AG engine have a recommended replacement interval of 5,000 hours as stated in SB 14503. As the fleet size of -67AG powered ag aircraft has grown, more PT6A-67AG engines are approaching or have exceeded 5,000 hours. As part of the CSP program, Pratt & Whitney Canada is offering replacement second-stage PT blades at 50% off the list price for the replacement part. Replacing the PT blades at 5,000 hours during overhaul or hot section inspection (HSI) is recommended to minimize aircraft downtime. If you are operating an engine that has exceeded the 5,000-hour limit, contact your Pratt field service representative to help determine how you can take advantage of the commercial support program.

The second CSP program issued is for engines models PT6A-67AG and PT6A-67F. Pratt & Whitney Canada dispersed Service Bulletin 14549 in July 2020. It states that some engine small exit ducts have a row of cooling holes missing. The missing cooling holes may impact the durability of the hot section components. SB 14549 provides a summary for how to do a visual inspection for the holes and the action needed if the engine is found to be missing cooling holes. As part of the replacement, if needed, PWC is offering 50% off list for the replacement small exit duct and first-stage power turbine blades. If your small exit duct is found to be without the cooling holes, it downgrades the life limit of the first-stage power turbine blades to one overhaul period, which is 3,000 hours. The Service Bulletin provides a list of engines that Pratt & Whitney Canada suspects are affected.

It is very important that one’s maintenance provider receives current publications from the engine OEMs. The service publications will provide communication of inspections and product enhancements via the latest Service Information Letter (SIL), Service Bulletin and if a CSP is offered with each Service Bulletin issued. If you have questions or concerns on current PT6A Service Bulletins or commercial support programs, contact your maintenance provider or Pratt-designated overhaul facility for more information.