PW4000 Advantage70(TM) Begins Flight Testing

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., May 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pratt & Whitney's PW4000 Advantage70 development engine commenced flight testing on the company's 747 flying test bed at its test flight facility in Plattsburgh, New York. The engine, which will deliver 70,000 pounds of thrust for the A330 aircraft family, is expected to achieve Federal Aviation Administration certification in October. The first PW4000-100" engines with the Advantage70 technology upgrade are scheduled to enter service in 2009. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

"We are thrilled that the Advantage70 flight testing is off to a great start," said Jim Speich, PW4000-100" program manager, Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines. "A rigorous flight test program is planned for the development engine; we expect enhanced performance, operability and significant environmental improvements compared to today's A330 aircraft."

The A330-200 and A330-300 passenger aircraft will be the first to fly PW4000-100" engines with Advantage70 in mid-2009. Flyington Freighters, the launch customer for the A330-200F, selected Advantage70 to power their new aircraft, which are scheduled to enter service in late 2009. Engine ground testing completed in East Hartford, Conn., has initially demonstrated the technology upgrades will deliver enhanced engine performance, including a 2 percent thrust increase, a 1 percent reduction in fuel consumption, increased durability, and reduced maintenance costs.

Pratt & Whitney has over 17,000 aircraft engines installed with hundreds of airlines around the world. Pratt & Whitney is also a leading partner in two joint venture companies that manufacture commercial aircraft engines: International Aero Engines, which makes the V2500 for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, and the Engine Alliance, whose GP7200 engine is FAR 33 certified for the new Airbus A380.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.

    Matthew Perra                                Jennifer Whitlow
    Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines           Pratt & Whitney
    +1.860.565.8938                              +1.860.565.9600
    matthew.perra@pw.utc.com                     jennifer.whitlow@pw.utc.com