| Pratt & Whitney Canada  February 29, 2016 Poland's LPR Expands Fleet to 27 Airbus H135P3 Helicopters Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW206B3 Turboshaft EnginePW206B3 Engines Support EMS Services and Offer Up to 10 Percent Higher Thermal Takeoff Power in Hot and High Conditions LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY--(Marketwired - Feb. 29, 2016) - HAI Heli-Expo - LPR (SP ZOZ Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe) has added four more aircraft to its fleet of Airbus H135P3 helicopters powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada's (P&WC) PW206B3 turboshaft engines - bringing the size of the fleet to 27 aircraft. An emergency medical services (EMS) customer in Poland, LPR started operating these new aircraft in early 2016. P&WC is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). "P&WC has maintained a strong presence on the H135 since the first variant was introduced 20 years ago - and with the PW206B3 powering the H135P3, we intend to keep it that way," said Irene Makris, Vice President, Marketing, P&WC. "We have steadily introduced new technologies into the engine and worked closely with Airbus Helicopters to meet the aircraft's needs, all while maintaining and improving the PW200's world-renowned durability and dependability as well as P&WC's unmatched customer service capabilities." The PW206B3 engine is a growth variant of the highly successful PW206B2. It shares the same engine architecture as the PW206B2, which is designed for ease of maintenance, but also offers up to 10 percent more thermal takeoff power in hot and high conditions. The engine has automatic start and automatic power sharing between the two engines. It features the lowest emission levels in its class and competitive maintenance costs. Its time-on-wing is further enhanced by a 4,000-hour time between overhaul (TBO) with on-condition hot section inspection (HSI). "Our helicopters are dispatched in high-priority emergency cases," said Wojciech Wozniczka, LPR's Deputy Director of Continuing Airworthiness. "In a life-and-death situation, aircraft reliability has to be assured. We chose the PW206B3 engine because it has been proven in the field in countless settings - including EMS, where it is in widespread use." "The H135 helicopter has endured because of its reputation for delivering the perfect combination of power and maneuverability - and we are confident this will continue with the PW206B3," added Makris. The PW200: A Leading Engine Family in the World of Light-Twin Helicopters The PW200 now powers more light-twin helicopters than any other engine in this segment. There are approximately 3,500 PW200 engines currently flying in 80 countries around the world, which have accumulated nine million flying hours. It is regarded as the industry benchmark for the 600 to 700 shaft horsepower class. Its superior engine performance, low maintenance costs and extensive customer support network make it the engine of choice to power modern light-twin helicopters, which enjoy strong demand in EMS as well as utility, law enforcement and general business aviation. With only three major rotating components, the PW200 is simple in concept. The engine requires minimal line maintenance, as there is no requirement for scheduled borescope inspections, soap analysis or vibration checks. New technologies, advanced materials and coatings provide greater power and lower fuel consumption, combined with low emissions and high reliability. The reliability of the PW200 family of engines is unmatched, at rates that are 10 times better than the industry standard. In addition, electronic controls enable reduced pilot workload, ease of helicopter operation and a simple one-engine inoperative pilot training feature. Come and see us at HAI Heli-Expo, booth #1817. Interested operators are invited to drop by P&WC's booth to speak with a customer service representative. About Pratt & Whitney Canada Founded in 1928, P&WC is a global leader in aerospace that is shaping the future of aviation with dependable, high-technology engines. Based in Longueuil, Quebec (Canada), P&WC is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. United Technologies Corp, based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the global aerospace and building systems industries. Note to Editors For more information, visit our media page at www.pwc.ca/hai-media-kit. Follow P&WC on Twitter (https://twitter.com/pwcanada) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PrattWhitneyCanada) to receive our latest news and updates. CONTACT INFORMATION:
Pratt & Whitney Canada +1-438-994-6699 melanie.bernard@pwc.ca www.pwc.ca | |
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Poland's LPR Expands Fleet to 27 Airbus H135P3 Helicopters Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW206B3 Turboshaft Engine
P&WC Increases Time Between Overhaul for PW210 Turboshaft Engine Family as new Entries Into Service Accelerate
| Pratt & Whitney Canada February 29, 2016 P&WC Increases Time Between Overhaul for PW210 Turboshaft Engine Family as new Entries Into Service AccelerateExtension Offers Greater Value to Existing Operators and Those Taking Delivery of New Aircraft LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY--(Marketwired - Feb. 29, 2016) - HAI Heli-Expo - Note to editors: There is a photo associated with this press release. Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) today announced that it has extended the basic time between overhaul (TBO) for its PW210 turboshaft engines from 3,500 to 4,000 hours. This will increase time-on-wing and reduce maintenance costs by over 10 percent for operators. The extension applies to all PW210 engines currently in service and those to be produced in the future. P&WC is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). In an effort to offer greater value to its helicopter customers, P&WC is also deploying additional commercial initiatives that will reduce direct maintenance costs (DMC) by up to 15 percent for operators with very short missions. These initiatives will enable further savings under P&WC's Eagle Service Plan® (ESP) program and Fleet Management Program® (FMP) solution. This is just the latest in P&WC's ongoing efforts to support its customers with solutions that lower DMC and deliver bottom-line value. "We understand the importance of reducing costs for our customers," said Irene Makris, Vice President, Marketing, P&WC. "The PW210 has been designed for low maintenance and maximum availability. In addition to the 4,000-hour TBO, its benefits include no scheduled oil changes, no scheduled borescope or vibration checks and an easily accessible and integrated nozzle for compressor wash, all of which make it simpler to maintain and reduce maintenance expenses." More PW210-Powered Aircraft to Enter Service The PW210 is P&WC's latest family of helicopter engines and is fast proving itself to be an industry leader. Its strong performance and reliability are among the reasons P&WC is able to extend the TBO. They are also why more and more operators worldwide are choosing this engine in fields of all kinds, including emergency medical services, journalistic missions, VIP transport, power line inspections and oil and gas industry applications. It has already made successful entries into service as the engine of choice for Finmeccanica's AW169 in December 2015 and for the Sikorsky S-76D™ in January 2014. Raising the industry bar for a clean-sheet engine design, it has flawlessly accumulated close to 10,000 flight hours on the S-76D helicopter. National Helicopter Services Limited (NHSL), based in Trinidad and Tobago, operates five Sikorsky S-76D aircraft powered by PW210S engines and is the fleet leader. It has accumulated close to 5,000 flight hours since entering into service. Entries into service will accelerate in 2016, with a number of operators set to begin flying PW210-powered helicopters this year. "We continue to find homes for the PW210 with new customers and platforms and to cross new boundaries as it establishes its pedigree around the world," noted Makris. Innovative New Technologies The PW210 is shaping a new generation of intermediate- and medium-class twin-engine helicopters, setting exceptional standards in fuel efficiency, power-to-weight ratio and operating economics. With every aspect of the engine designed with the customer in mind, the PW210 delivers a wide range of power options. It is elegantly simple in concept, with only five major rotating components. The PW210 engine also doubles as an auxiliary power unit (APU), powering electrical, heating and cooling systems while the aircraft is on the ground, with a locked or disengaged main rotor - saving the cost and weight of a third engine. The engine features dual channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC) that raises the bar for ease of pilot operation and maintenance diagnostics. Engine information can be downloaded from the FADEC and engine memory storage device to P&WC's standard ground-station software, a powerful tool linked to P&WC's online interactive publications and diagnostic tool, Spotlight™. Spotlight provides simple, guided troubleshooting through an interactive interface integrated with P&WC's maintenance manuals. A Global Leader in Turboshaft Performance and Customer Support Today, P&WC's PW200 turboshaft family is the industry frontrunner in the 600 to 1,100 shaft horsepower (shp) class. The new PW210 sets high standards in fuel efficiency, power-to-weight ratio and operating economics. Similarly, P&WC's PT6 turboshaft family delivers the best value for all types of missions in the 1,000+ shp class and is the number-one choice of customers for medium- and super-medium helicopters. The engine's performance is backed by the most extensive customer service network in the world. Round-the-clock support, provided by the company's Customer First (CFirst) Centres, sets the industry benchmark for rapid, real-time customer support. "P&WC constantly demonstrates its ability to deliver the right services and solutions to customers that have a positive impact on their bottom line," noted Makris. Come and see us at HAI Heli-Expo, booth #1817. Interested operators are invited to drop by P&WC's booth to speak with a customer service representative. About Pratt & Whitney Canada Founded in 1928, P&WC is a global leader in aerospace that is shaping the future of aviation with dependable, high-technology engines. Based in Longueuil, Quebec (Canada), P&WC is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. United Technologies Corp, based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the global aerospace and building systems industries. Note to Editors For more information, visit our media page at http://www.pwc.ca/hai-media-kit. Follow P&WC on Twitter (https://twitter.com/pwcanada) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PrattWhitneyCanada) to receive our latest news and updates. To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20160229-PW210A_800.jpg CONTACT INFORMATION:
Pratt & Whitney Canada +1-438-994-6699 melanie.bernard@pwc.ca www.pwc.ca |
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USDOT Requests Applications for $800 Million New FASTLANE Grant Program
DOT 19-16 Friday, February 26, 2016 Tel.: (202) 366-4570 USDOT Requests Applications for $800 Million New FASTLANE Grant Program
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that it is now soliciting applications for the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program. The FASTLANE program is a new program in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act to fund critical freight and highway projects across the country. The FAST Act authorizes $800 million in funding for the FASTLANE program for fiscal year 2016, with 25 percent reserved for rural projects, and 10 percent for smaller projects.
“Our nation needs a strong multimodal freight system to both compete in the global economy and meet the needs of consumers and industry,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We now have an opportunity to fund high-impact projects that address key challenges affecting the movement of people and freight.”
The FASTLANE grant program provides funding for projects of national or regional significance. FASTLANE grants provide dedicated funding for projects that address major issues facing our nation’s highways and bridges. For the first time in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 50-year history, the program establishes broad, multiyear eligibilities for freight infrastructure, including intermodal projects.
FASTLANE grants will address many of the challenges outlined in the USDOT report Beyond Traffic, including increased congestion on the nation’s highways and the need for a strong multimodal transportation system to support the expected growth in freight movement both by ton and value. It is also in line with the Department’s draft National Freight Strategic Plan released in October 2015, which looks at challenges and identifies strategies to address impediments to the efficient flow of goods throughout the nation.
FASTLANE grants, authorized by the FAST Act’s Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects (NSFHP) program, will fund small and large projects, based on project size, that meet statutory requirements. Large projects (equal to the lesser of $100 million or a certain specified statutory percentage of the project state’s FY 2015 apportionment) are eligible for a minimum award of $25 million. Small projects, which consist of projects below the minimum large project size threshold, are eligible for a minimum award of $5 million.
The NSFHP program is authorized at $4.5 billion through 2020. Applications for FY 2016 are due on April 14, 2016. For more information, including a schedule of webinars on the program, please visit www.transportation.gov/FASTLANEgrants. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is available HERE.
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U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Joins Puerto Rico Governor GarcÃa Padilla to Sign Historic Memorandum of Understanding
DOT 17-16 Thursday, February 25, 2016 Contact: DOT Press Office Tel.: (202) 366-4570
U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Joins Puerto Rico Governor García Padilla to Sign Historic Memorandum of Understanding
SAN JUAN, P.R. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau today joined Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro García Padilla and Puerto Rico Secretary of Transportation and Public Works Miguel Torres Díaz for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to reduce Puerto Rico’s project delivery time, restructure the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Administration with the Federal Highway Administration’s support, and improve Puerto Rico’s ability to use federal funds in future highway projects. Today’s agreement provides tools and resources to help the Commonwealth put many crucial projects on track, creating jobs and spurring much needed economic development on the island.
“This agreement allows officials to continue making critical investments that will ensure Puerto Rico’s infrastructure maintains a high level of safety and efficiency,” said Secretary Foxx. “Our Department and this Administration are committed to keeping the wheels of progress moving forward on the island and we are dedicated to helping advance projects that will create jobs and contribute significantly to the recovery of Puerto Rico’s economy.”
The MOU provides federal technical assistance to ensure that Puerto Rican transportation officials are able to expeditiously access about $400 million in previously obligated federal funds for infrastructure projects that will create jobs and spur economic development on the island. The agreement also represents an important step in Puerto Rico’s plan to improve its billing procedures by increasing capacity for developing and sustaining best practices, such as using electronic funds transfer and reducing the time it takes to pay contractors.
“I am thrilled to work with Secretary Foxx and the Department of Transportation to improve the Commonwealth’s infrastructure and create jobs,” said Governor Alejandro J. García Padilla. “Their commitment has been invaluable in my administration's efforts to ensure that the 3.5 million American citizens living in Puerto Rico have access to modern and reliable transportation. While we continue to work tirelessly in seeking a comprehensive legal framework to restructure Puerto Rico’s unsustainable debt, this agreement helps us improve the operations of a vital public corporation and fosters considerable investment in the Commonwealth to help Puerto Rico leave behind its financial and liquidity crisis.”
Once signed, the document will require the territory to hire a management consultant to assist with streamlining project delivery, bolstering construction management and improving engineers’ estimates – which are key to ensuring that bid prices for federal-aid road projects are reasonable.
“The people of Puerto Rico deserve no less than the best,” said Federal Highway Administrator Nadeau. “This MOU is a step in the right direction toward more road improvements, better financial management, job creation, and safer driving on the island for years to come.”
Secretary Foxx is the second of many Cabinet officials from across the Administration who will be traveling to the Commonwealth in the coming months to continue promoting Puerto Rico’s economic recovery.
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BTS Statistics Release: December 2015 North American Freight Numbers
BTS 12-16 Advisory Thursday, February 25, 2016 Contact: Dave Smallen Tel: 202-366-5568
BTS Statistics Release: December 2015 North American Freight Numbers
The value of U.S.-NAFTA freight totaled $86.7 billion in December 2015 as all modes of transportation – air, vessel, pipeline, rail, and trucks – carried a lower total value of freight than a year earlier, according to the TransBorder Freight Data released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Large decreases in the value of commodities moved by pipeline and vessel in December were due to the reduced unit price of crude oil.
Year-over-year, the value of U.S.-NAFTA freight flows by all modes declined by 9.5 percent.
Freight by Mode In December 2015 compared to December 2014, the value of commodities moving by truck decreased by 3.1 percent, while the value of air freight decreased by 3.5 percent and rail by 9.3 percent. Vessel freight value decreased 29.9 percent and pipeline freight decreased 47.4 percent mainly due to the lower unit price of crude oil (a component of mineral fuels), which comprises a large share of the commodities carried by these modes. Average monthly prices for crude petroleum and refined fuel are available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Trucks carried 63.4 percent of U.S.-NAFTA freight and continue to be the most heavily utilized mode for moving goods to and from both U.S.-NAFTA partners. Trucks accounted for $28.0 billion of the $46.8 billion of imports (60.0 percent) and $26.9 billion of the $40.0 billion of exports (67.3 percent).
Rail remained the second largest mode by value, moving 15.1 percent of all U.S.-NAFTA freight, followed by vessel, 6.4 percent; pipeline, 4.7 percent; and air, 4.3 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 83.2 percent of the total U.S.-NAFTA freight flows.
U.S.-Canada Freight The value of U.S.-Canada freight totaled $45.0 billion in December 2015, down 15.2 percent from December 2014, as all modes of transportation carried a lower value of U.S.-Canada freight than a year earlier.
Lower crude oil prices contributed to a year-over-year decrease in the value of freight moved between the U.S. and Canada. Crude oil is a large share of freight carried by vessel and pipeline, which were down 35.2 percent and 47.4 percent respectively year-over-year.
Trucks carried 57.3 percent of the $45.0 billion of freight to and from Canada, followed by rail, 15.9 percent; pipeline, 8.4 percent; air, 4.9 percent; and vessel, 4.5 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 81.6 percent of the total U.S.-Canada freight flows.
U.S.-Mexico Freight The value of U.S.-Mexico freight totaled $41.7 billion in December 2015, down 2.4 percent from December 2014, as two out of the five transportation modes – air and truck – carried more U.S.-Mexico freight value than in December 2014. Freight carried by truck increased by 1.3 percent, led by shipments of electrical machinery, which were up 7.4 percent. Air freight value rose 2.0 percent while rail freight value declined 0.1 percent. Pipeline freight value decreased by 46.5 percent and vessel freight value decreased by 26.4 percent mainly due to lower crude oil prices.
Trucks carried 70.0 percent of the $41.7 billion of the value of freight transported to and from Mexico, followed by rail, 14.3 percent; vessel, 8.5 percent; air, 3.7 percent; and pipeline, 0.6 percent. The surface transportation modes of truck, rail and pipeline carried 84.8 percent of the total U.S.-Mexico freight flows.
See BTS Transborder Statistics Release for summary tables and additional data. See North American Transborder Freight Data on the BTS website for additional data for surface modes since 1995 and all modes since 2004.
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U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces $500 Million in Eighth Round of TIGER Funding
DOT 16-16 Tuesday, February 23, 2016 Contact: DOT Press Office Tel.: (202) 366-4570
U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces $500 Million in Eighth Round of TIGER Funding
WASHINGTON –Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced $500 million will be made available for transportation projects across the country under an eighth round of the highly successful Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program.
“The TIGER program funds vital transportation projects that provide real benefits to communities all across the country. Every year, we see hundreds of compelling applications that have the potential to improve people's access to economic opportunities, make people safer, and improve their well-being.” said Secretary Foxx. “I am proud that for seven rounds, TIGER has been able to make a valuable contribution to improving our nation’s transportation infrastructure, and I look forward to this year’s competition.”
Like the first seven rounds, FY 2016 TIGER discretionary grants will fund capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure and will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area, or a region.
The 2016 TIGER grant program will continue to make transformative surface transportation investments by providing improvements over existing conditions. The grant program will focus on capital projects that generate economic development and improve access to reliable, safe and affordable transportation for communities, both urban and rural.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, does not provide dedicated funding for the planning, preparation, or design of capital projects; however, these activities may be funded as part of an overall construction project.
Since 2009, TIGER has provided nearly $4.6 billion to 381 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, including 134 projects to support rural and tribal communities. Demand has been overwhelming, and during the previous seven rounds, the Department received more than 6,700 applications requesting more than $134 billion for transportation projects across the country.
The highly competitive TIGER grant program supports innovative projects, including multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects, which are difficult to fund through traditional federal programs. These federal funds leverage money from private sector partners, states, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, ports, and transit agencies. The 2015 TIGER round alone is leveraging $500 million in federal investment to support $1.4 billion in overall transportation investments.
TIGER funding is provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, signed by President Obama on December 18, 2015. Applications are due April 29, 2016. For more information on how to apply, please visit www.transportation.gov/TIGER.
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2015 Airline Consumer Complaints Up From Previous Year
DOT 14-16 Thursday, February 18, 2016 Contact: DOT Press Office Tel.: (202) 366-4570
2015 Airline Consumer Complaints Up From Previous Year
WASHINGTON – Airline consumer complaints filed with DOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division during 2015 were up 29.8 percent from 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report released today.
For all of last year, the Department received 20,170 complaints, up from the total of 15,539 received in 2014. In December 2015, the Department received 1,565 complaints about airline service from consumers, up 46.9 percent from the total of 1,065 filed in December 2014 and up 19.6 percent from the 1,308 received in November 2015. These complaints cover a range of aviation service issues such as flight problems, baggage, reservation and ticketing, refunds, consumer service, disability, and discrimination. Consumers can compare the overall complaint records of individual airlines to determine which airlines provide the best service and select airlines based on that knowledge. The complaints also serve as a basis for investigations, rulemaking, legislation, and research.
The consumer report also includes data on on-time performance, cancellations, tarmac delays, chronically delayed flights, and the causes of flight delays filed with the Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) by the reporting carriers. In addition, the consumer report includes statistics on mishandled baggage reports filed by consumers with the reporting carriers as well as passengers denied confirmed space (oversales/bumping) as filed with BTS by the carriers. The consumer report also contains information about the total number of animals that died, were injured or were lost during air transport in December, as well as the calendar year, as filed by the air carriers with the Aviation Consumer Protection Division.
Consumers may file air travel service complaints on the web at www.transportation.gov/airconsumer. This news release is available at https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/2015-airline-consumer-complaints-previous-year. The full consumer report is available at www.transportation.gov/individuals/air-consumer/air-travel-consumer-reports. Detailed information on flight delays is available at www.bts.gov.
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