Turbines Inc. Breathes New Life into PT6A-20 Engines

Despite Pratt and Whitney's lack of continued support for its PT6A-20 engine, Turbines Inc. refuses to let the trustworthy engine fall by the wayside. With no parts or even manuals available, Turbines Inc. relies on over 30 years of employee experience to keep customers' planes in the air. 

 “We have the experienced staff who have been working on these engines and know them inside out,” Turbines Inc. general manager Jim Peleck says. In addition, Turbines Inc. introduced the PT6A-20 to the agricultural market with the first-ever conversion of a round piston engine to a turbine powered spray plane, and it still holds the STC for that conversion on an Ag Cat.

And when it comes to getting parts for the PT6A-20? “We still hold -20 parts in stock and continue performing hot section repairs as well as full overhauls on them. The PT6A-20 is alive at Turbines Inc., but we know the clock is ticking,” 35-year A & P mechanic veteran Don Nichols says.

The alternative parts market may be the answer to the continuation of the -20 engine. Shroud segments are available in the PMA market from a couple of vendors, and if the list of available PMA parts continues to grow, it just may breathe life into this workhorse of an engine. If just a few parts are able to reach the market, the life of the PT6A-20 could be extended.