Pratt & Whitney Global Material Solutions Receives FAA Certification

EAST HARTFORD, Conn.– The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Parts Manufacturing Approval certification to Pratt & Whitney Global Material Solutions (GMS) for the CFM56-3 engine high pressure turbine (HPT) shroud. This represents the first certification of GMS’s portfolio of 48 interchangeable life-limited and gas-path replacement parts for the CFM56-3 engine. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.

“The first FAA certification is a significant milestone for the Global Material Solutions business and a validation of Pratt & Whitney’s extensive OEM design, validation, test and manufacturing capabilities,” said Matthew Bromberg, vice president and general manager, Global Material Solutions. “The next step is to continue to work closely with the FAA to certify the remaining Pratt & Whitney-designed CFM56-3 engine parts, as well as pursue certification by the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) and Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).”

The shroud serves as the outermost air seal, working directly with the blades within the engine’s high pressure turbine module, to maximize its efficiency.

Global Material Solutions 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. The business was launched with United Airlines and recently announced Jet2.com and an undisclosed airline in China as its European and Asia-Pacific launch customers. All 48 new parts are expected to be certified and enter service in 2008.