Half of all PT6 production now destined for sectioned engines.

[iflyforpie]

Longueuil QC

Citing the lingering effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on aviation markets and emerging competition from General Electric Aviation with their new Catalyst turboprop, Pratt & Whitney Canada has been looking to both increase productivity, and bring in more revenue.

In a bold move reminiscent of King Solomon.. P&WC has decided to take every second PT6 turboprop off the assembly line, cut it in half, and sell each half to willing buyers who don’t want a functioning engine, but rather an educational tool, conversation piece, or a very abstract piece of art.

Most of us who know the PT6 already know that it can be split in half and then reassembled again. Even mixed and matched like last year’s mattresses and box springs at Sleep Country because the power and gas producer sections each come with their own data plates. They’ve also been doubled with the Twin Pac, and there are some obscure drawings of a Three T6.

Initial ideas for selling each module for the home market included using the power section with a reversible propeller for ceiling fans, and turning the gas producer into a better, noisier leaf blower or perhaps a low efficiency furnace, but PW&C decided against it.

Mainly because under the Quebec Government, the fully longitudinally sectioned engines qualify for a substantial art subsidy, greatly increasing the profit margins of such a venture.

“We want to see a sectioned PT6 in every household, that way everyone can see and appreciate the unique gas flow and construction of what is otherwise a very boring engine on like, Caravans and King Airs and stuff” says Marcel Bouchard, PW&C’s sectioned engine program director.

The sectioned PT6s will also be available with an optional rigging expansion pack for those who want a unique object that also presents one of the greatest mental challenges of our time.

If the rigging expansion pack is successful, Pratt & Whitney Canada plans on holding a PT6 olympics. Here, competitors can vie for the coveted medals which come in aluminum, steel, and single crystal cast inconel. Top athletes can expect sponsorships from major MROs who’s aircraft mechanics no longer know how to rig anything that isn’t FADEC. Don’t worry, they’ll still sign it out.

There is another boon to this approach. PW&C can reduce quality assurance costs by half, as well as recover parts that have failed QA because they will no longer have to go on aircraft.

When asked if there was a possibility that the uncertified parts might get mixed up with the certified ones, Marcel answered “yes”.

While this seems unusual, it was pointed out that 34% of PT6s were already sectioned anyways, as you can see them in aviation museums, flight simulator buildings, and on eBay.

PW&C had hoped to start shipping PT6 halves in time for Christmas, but a worldwide reciprocating saw shortage has made the date slip to next April.

[rigpiggy]

April fool.....and by that I mean French clowns

[khedrei]

Did chat GPT write this?

[digits_]

Would that turn a PC12 into a twin?

[RatherBeFlying]

Combien de poisson's d'avril ont mordu l'appât ?