PW4000 Advantage70(TM) Prepares for Flight Testing

SINGAPORE, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SINGAPORE AIRSHOW -- Pratt & Whitney's first PW4000-100" Advantage70 development engine has completed initial ground testing in East Hartford, Conn. The engine, which will deliver 70,000 pounds of thrust for the A330 aircraft family, will begin flight testing on Pratt & Whitney's 747 flying test bed in the second quarter 2008. The first PW4000 engines with the Advantage70 technology upgrade are scheduled to enter into service in 2009. Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

"We are proud to bring our customers closer to realizing the benefits of this technology upgrade for the reliable PW4000-100" engine," said Mike Field, vice president, Pratt & Whitney Operational Commercial Engines. "Advantage70 will offer additional thrust, fuel efficiency and lower maintenance cost for the A330 family. The upgrade also brings significant environmental improvements by reducing CO2 emissions by 650 tonnes per aircraft, per year compared to today's A330 aircraft."

The A330-200 and A330-300 passenger aircraft will be the first to fly PW4000-100" engines with Advantage70 in mid-2009. Flyington Freighters, the launch customer for the A330-200F, selected Advantage70 to power their new aircraft, which are scheduled to enter into service in late 2009. The Advantage70 technology upgrade delivers enhanced engine performance, increased thrust, lower fuel consumption, increased durability and reduced maintenance costs.

Pratt & Whitney has over 17,000 aircraft engines installed with hundreds of airlines around the world. Pratt & Whitney is also a leading partner in two joint venture companies that manufacture commercial aircraft engines: International Aero Engines, which makes the V2500 for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, and the Engine Alliance, whose GP7200 engine is FAR 33 certified for the new Airbus A380.

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 building industries.

    Matthew Perra                         Jennifer Whitlow
    Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines.   Pratt & Whitney
    Int'l Mobile:  +1.860.595.6515        U.S. Office: +1.860.565.9600
    matthew.perra@pw.utc.com              jennifer.whitlow@pw.utc.com