Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada is preparing to demonstrate hydrogen combustion technology on a PW127XT turboprop engine as part of the Canadian government’s Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT). On November 6, the RTX group company said the Hydrogen Advanced Design Engine Study (HyADES) will be conducted in partnership with Next Hydrogen Solutions, which is developing high-efficiency, low-cost electrolyzers for the hydrogen production process.
Funding for the first phase of work covers fuel nozzle and combustor rig testing using hydrogen fuel, with future phases involving engine ground tests. The PW127XT is the latest member of Pratt &amp; Whitney’s PW100 series of engines that have accumulated more than 220 million flight hours on a variety of regional airliners.
The PW127XT is featured on current versions of the ATR42 and ATR72 twin turboprops, and has also been selected by <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2022-08-26/pratt-canadas-pw127xt-m-gains-transport-canada-approval">Deutsche Aircraft for its Do328Eco</a> reworking of the Dornier 328. The company said it delivers a 3% improvement in fuel efficiency, 40% improved time on wing, and a 20% cut in maintenance costs compared with earlier engines.
Under a second INSAT-supported project called Turbine Engine Advanced Materials for Efficiency, Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada is teaming with the Ottawa-based Derivation Research Laboratory. This will explore advanced materials for hot section components of gas turbine engines that could improve thermal efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
“This collaborative project with INSAT enables us to develop key technologies for future hydrogen powered aircraft and complements our wider efforts to advance aviation sustainability through a range of pathways, including continued improvements to engine efficiency, hybrid-electric propulsion and compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel,” said Edward Hoskin, Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada’s vice president for engineering.
“While regional aviation represents one of the most promising use cases for hydrogen, the project will also demonstrate the versatility of adapting the proven, highly efficient PW127XT turboprop engine to operate with low carbon alternative fuels and continues our legacy of technology leadership in this segment.”

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Pratt & Whitney Canada is part of the INSAT program to explore hydrogen fuel combustion with the PW127XT turboprop engine that powers ATR regional airliners.

Hydrogen Combustion Test To Start on PW127XT Turboprop Engine

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