The American aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has started FAR33 certification testing of the new GTF Advantage engine after completing more than 2,000 hours of testing.
The engine is currently scheduled to enter the commercial service in 2024.
“GTF Advantage offers even more value to our customers, especially on longer-range aircraft like the A321XLR,” said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney.
Deurloo added: “It will extend GTF’s lead as the most sustainable, fuel-efficient and powerful engine for the A320neo family – and it will be highly reliable on day one.”
Pratt & Whitney will also continue FAR33 certification testing in Mirabel, Canada later this year. The engine will also start aircraft-level validation testing on the Airbus A320neo development aircraft in Toulouse, France.
Having up to 34,000 pounds (15,422 kilograms) of take-off thrust, the GTF Advantage will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by an additional 1%, “making it 17% better than prior-generation propulsion systems”.
According to the company, more than 1,300 GTF-powered planes have been delivered to 62 operators across Airbus A320neo, Airbus A220, and Embraer E-Jets E2 family jets.