FAA Certifies Pratt & Whitney CFM56-3 Engine Life Limited Parts

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., March 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pratt & Whitney received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for the Global Material Solutions CFM56-3 engine fan and booster Supplemental Type Certificate. The Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), resulting from numerous engine and rig development and certification tests, is the first FAA certification granted for alternative life limited engine parts. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

The FAA's STC process requires an applicant to meet all regulations required of a type certificate holder. The STC for Pratt & Whitney's CFM56-3 engine fan and booster, which includes three alternative parts -- the fan disk, booster spool and fan shaft -- certifies each part with FAA Chapter 5 life limits equal to the original type certificate holder.

"We are very excited about this certification, because it validates the Pratt & Whitney OEM-quality of our CFM56-3 engine parts," said Matthew Bromberg, vice president and general manager, Global Material Solutions. "Earning the FAA's approval for the first life-limited parts STC is a significant milestone for Pratt & Whitney and our industry."

This is the first of four STCs Pratt & Whitney is actively pursuing, which will result in the certification of 19 GMS-produced life limited parts for the CFM56-3 engine. The additional three STCs, which Pratt & Whitney expects to earn very soon, will cover the high-pressure compressor, high-pressure turbine and low-pressure turbine.

"Pratt & Whitney holds one of the first FAA production certificates issued, so it seems appropriate that we are once again pioneers in the industry with this accomplishment," continued Bromberg.

Global Material Solutions, which was publicly launched in February 2006, is an industry-revolutionizing initiative delivering Pratt & Whitney OEM- quality life-limited and gas-path parts for the CFM56-3 engine at a competitive price. All GMS parts are expected to be certified and enter service later this year.

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 commercial building industries.

    CFM and CFM56 are trademarks of CFM International.

    Jennifer Whitlow
    Phone: 860.565.9600
    jennifer.whitlow@pw.utc.com