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StandardAero Opens New PW600 Test Cell

Oct. 6, 2008, Orlando, Fla. –  In June 2007, StandardAero commenced a $6.5 million project to build a new engine-test cell at their Maryville, Tenn. facility for testing the new PW600-series turbofan engine. This new class of engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) is designed to power the new Very Light Jets, or VLJs such as the Eclipse 500 and Cessna Mustang.  It will be the world’s first test cell dedicated solely to PW600 maintenance repair and overhaul.

 Adjacent to the existing Rolls Royce AE3007 test cell, this new 10,000 square foot facility provides approximately 6,500 square feet of cell engine preparation area, and another 4,000 square feet of space for engine test staging and troubleshooting. Although the purpose of this test cell is to test PW600 engines (900-1350 lbs thrust), part of the design criteria was to size it for potential future testing capabilities using engines up to 30,000 lb thrust. Therefore, the new test cell is nearly identical in size to the existing CF34 test cell in Winnipeg.

 “As the leading turbine-engine maintenance repair and overhaul company, StandardAero has taken a leadership position in establishing superb maintenance facilities, top-notch employees and second-to-none customer service,” said StandardAero President and CEO, Rob Mionis. “Expanding our maintenance capabilities into the light-jet category expands our depth and breadth of expertise throughout the turbine-engine market.”

 In addition to the special aerodynamic design to minimize airflow turbulence, this test cell also features the most advanced integrated-data-acquisition and facility-controls system of any test cell in StandardAero. An engine shakedown run was completed at the end of September, 2008, with approvals by PWC immediately following. StandardAero was granted approval as the sole external PW600 Designated Overhaul Facility by PWC in 2007.