RENO, Nev., -- Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6A engine family, used widely in agricultural aviation and firefighting, has surpassed one million flight hours in 2025.

The PT6A line, first certified for aerial application in 1977, has expanded to eight variants and nearly 5,000 engines produced for aircraft built by Air Tractor and Thrush Aircraft. These single-engine platforms are used globally for crop application, pest control, forest management, and wildfire response. The broader PT6 family has powered more than 155 aircraft types and accumulated over 500 million flight hours since 1963, while related Pratt & Whitney Canada engines such as the PW100 continue to support fixed-wing and rotary-wing firefighting operations around the world.

The milestone highlights the sustained demand for turboprop engines that support essential missions in food production, environmental management, and wildfire suppression. It also underscores the long-term role of legacy engine families like the PT6A in sectors where reliability and durability directly affect public safety and resource protection.

Source: RTX
Associated URL: https://www.prattwhitney.com/

BAKU - Silk Way West Airlines has firmed up its two A350F options, doubling its total commitment to four aircraft as part of its ongoing fleet-modernization strategy. The carrier selected the model for its high payload capability and efficiency, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, and Airbus views the repeat order as a strong endorsement of the freighter’s performance. The expansion aligns with Silk Way’s broader long-term plan, which also includes additional Boeing freighter commitments such as the 777-8F and 777F.

Source: Flight Global
Associated URL: https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/silk-way-agreement-doubles-commitment-to-a350f/165407.article
Author: David Kaminski-Morrow 

LONDON - Rolls-Royce is making significant progress in enhancing the durability of its Trent XWB-97 engine, the exclusive powerplant for the Airbus A350-1000. The company aims to double the engine's time-on-wing in harsh, sandy regions like the Middle East, a move critical to securing orders from airlines such as Emirates. Current dust-ingestion testing of new hot-section components is yielding results that meet or exceed expectations, with one test engine already surpassing 1,000 cycles.

The enhancements are being introduced in three phases, with the first two already in operation. A third, more comprehensive set of upgrades is slated for service entry in 2028. This phase includes improved cooling for high-pressure turbine blades, the addition of heat-resistant ceramic-matrix composites, and combustor modifications to reduce hotspots. Before starting, Rolls-Royce refined its testing protocol, calibrating it against real-world data from engines used in the Gulf region to ensure accuracy. The enhanced engine will undergo flight and certification testing in 2027.

Source: Flightglobal
Associated URL: https://www.flightglobal.com/engines/rolls-royce-trusts-in-dust-as-trent-xwb-97-durability-upgrades-exceed-expectations-in-testing/165291.article
Author: Dominic Perry