Thursday, December 08, 2011

Pratt & Whitney Canada and Thrush Aircraft Sign 10-Year Commercial Agreement

P&WC continues to provide dependable power and support for Thrush's line of aerial application aircraft for the agriculture industry

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA--(Marketwire - Dec. 8, 2011) - NAAA - Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and Thrush Aircraft today announced a 10-year General Terms Agreement at the National Agricultural Aviation Association's 45th Annual Convention & Exhibition. The agreement, which governs a broad suite of commercial arrangements, extends the partnership between P&WC and Thrush Aircraft, one of the leading agricultural aircraft manufacturers in the world. P&WC is a United Technologies Corp. company.

"The 10-year timeframe of our agreement with Thrush speaks to the long-standing and co-operative relationship we have," said Mike Perodeau, Vice President, Corporate Aviation and Military Engines. "We are gratified that P&WC will continue to work with Thrush to meet its engine needs, and we expect that this new agreement will set the stage for joint development work in the coming decade."

The commercial agreement announced today includes details on pricing, technical standards, terms and conditions, aftermarket support, warranty and training.

"The completion of this long-term agreement is a significant new milestone for us," said Payne Hughes, president of Thrush Aircraft, "and a meaningful one for our customers worldwide. We have always enjoyed our relationship with the Pratt & Whitney Canada team, and it is gratifying to know we'll be continuing to work together well into the future. Our aircraft, and their engines, make for a very good combination."

P&WC and Thrush have worked in tandem for many years as the manufacturer built its fleet of highly respected aerial application aircraft. Thrush's 550P is powered by the PT6A-60AG engine, its 510P by the PT6A-34AG engine and the 710P by the PT6A-65AG engine. Thrush's aircraft are known for structural durability and excellent performance under the most extreme conditions. They are flying today in more than 80 countries.

"PT6 engines are used by 7,000 operators around the globe and stand as a testament to how P&WC reinvents its products to meet emerging customer needs," said Perodeau. "Although other engine OEMs have tried, none have come close to matching the versatility and reliability of the PT6. We have consistently taken advantage of aerodynamic and material technology advancements to enhance the performance of the PT6 without significantly increasing its size. We also helped build the modern agriculture industry by developing a distinct family of PT6A engines specifically for the agriculture market."

There are currently some 27,000 PT6 engines in operation today, and the engine has booked a remarkable 350 million hours of flight. From flying in the Antarctic at 75 degrees below zero to supporting environmental efforts in reforestation programs, the PT6 engine and its adaptability continue to earn the respect and loyalty of pilots worldwide.

Come see us at NAAA, Booth 523: Interested operators are invited to drop by P&WC's booth to speak with a customer service representative.

About Thrush Aircraft Company

Headquartered in Albany, Georgia, Thrush Aircraft manufactures a full range of aerial application aircraft used in agriculture, forestry and firefighting roles worldwide. Founded in 2003, Thrush is well-known for building the most durable aircraft in the aerial application industry, as well as the best flying - from both pilot and operator perspectives. All Thrush models provide superb visibility, light control response, and a high degree of manoeuvrability and speed, along with superior efficiency and low direct operating costs. Today there are more than 2,200 Thrush aircraft operating in some 80 countries around the world.

About Pratt & Whitney Canada

Founded in 1928 and a global leader in aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Canada is shaping the future of business aviation with dependable, high-technology engines. Every second, a Pratt & Whitney Canada-powered aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in the world. Pratt & Whitney Canada's engines, with more than 570 million hours in the air, are the industry benchmark for innovative design, dispatch reliability, operating economics and easy maintenance. Pratt & Whitney Canada is firmly committed to ensuring its products are designed, produced and operated while minimizing environmental impacts throughout their life cycle.

There are currently more than 47,000 engines in service on over 25,000 aircraft operated by some 10,000 operators in 200 countries. The most extensive support network in the industry, which includes more than 30 company-owned and designated service facilities, supports this global fleet.

P&WC has been taking front-line services to the next level ever since it launched its Customer First Centre (CFirst) in 2007. CFirst brings together a multidisciplinary and multilingual support team to resolve issues so that customers can return to service quickly. CFirst handles more than 100,000 contacts every year.

Based in Longueuil, Quebec (Canada), Pratt & Whitney Canada is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE:UTX). UTC is a diversified company providing high-technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.

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