Pratt & Whitney Canada celebrates 40 Years of powering the Cessna Caravan with the proven PT6A engine
From global humanitarian missions to backcountry runways, the PT6A-powered Cessna Caravan continues to define mission-critical utility and reach
LONGUEUIL, Quebec – (JULY 16, 2025) Pratt & Whitney Canada is celebrating 40 years of powering Textron Aviation’s Cessna Caravan with its PT6A turboprop engine. Since its first delivery in 1985, every Caravan aircraft delivered – over 3,100 globally – has been powered by the PT6A engine. The Cessna Caravan platform, including the Cessna Grand Caravan EX has accumulated more than 25 million flying hours, enabling missions across 100 countries and demonstrating exceptional reliability in business, cargo, passenger, humanitarian and special mission operations. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business.
“For four decades, the PT6A engine and the Cessna Caravan has transformed how people and goods move around the world and redefined what’s possible in remote, rugged and hard-to-reach environments,” said Anthony Rossi, vice president Customer service, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “ The Caravan’s success is a testament to the PT6A’s performance, versatility and reliability, powering critical missions that connect communities, support critical operations and inspire adventure across the globe.”
The Cessna Caravan operates in remote areas with extreme weather conditions, water runways, mountainous terrain and rough landing locations. Its versatility is enabled by the PT6A’s ability to perform in high-cycle, high-power environments. Today’s PT6A has four-times the power output and a 50% improved power-to-weight ratio when compared to the original. The PT6A also has as much as 20% better specific fuel consumption compared to early models of the engine.
Next week, visit Pratt & Whitney Canada during EAA AirVenture in Hangar B, where its PT6 engines will be on display. The Cessna Grand Caravan EX will also be on static display during the show at Textron Aviation’s booth #78. Learn more about the PT6 engine family and its legacy of innovation and global performance at General Aviation Engines | Pratt & Whitney
About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units for military, commercial and civil aviation customers. Since 1925, our engineers have pioneered the development of revolutionary aircraft propulsion technologies, and today we support more than 90,000 in-service engines through our global network of maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.
About RTX
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 185,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2024 sales of more than $80 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
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