Reaching New Heights - Flight Test Operations
This centre is the global flight testing hub for the complete range of Pratt & Whitney Canada and Pratt & Whitney engines up to 90,000 pounds of thrust. The facility features advanced flight test equipment, including two Boeing 747SP aircraft. These flying laboratories are able to simulate a full range of operating conditions and capture record amounts of data.
Flight testing is a critical step in the engine testing process. It exposes the engine to certain environmental conditions that cannot be achieved through ground testing, resulting in enhanced reliability and safety.
As the global hub for Pratt & Whitney’s integrated flight test operations, the Mirabel Aerospace Centre is home to one of the largest civil flight test operations facilities in North America.
The complete range of Pratt & Whitney Canada and Pratt & Whitney engines with up to 90,000 pounds of thrust will be tested at the centre.
The facility features advanced flight test equipment, including two Boeing 747SP aircraft modified for engine testing. Compared to previous aircraft used for testing, these feature a higher performance per thrust ratio.
The test aircraft are like flying laboratories able to simulate a full range of operating conditions and capture record amounts of data. The need to measure more parameters has increased dramatically with innovations like the Geared Turbofan engine configuration for the PW1524G engine.
The flight test operations centre features a world-class team of expert technicians and pilots. In addition to standard pilot training, these pilots are required to take significant additional specialized training due to the complexity and sophistication of the aircraft.
