Pratt & Whitney wants to breathe new life into the MD-80 family of airliners, now among the noisiest and least fuel efficient of those out there. That way it can prolong the service life (and maintenance revenue) of some 5,000 JT8D engines on the 2,500 or so aircraft in service.
“The airplane needs rebranding,” says Steve Heath, president of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney. “You can make it look like today’s new regional aircraft if you give it winglets and quiet the engines to be Stage 4 compliant.”
Wishful thinking? Not at all. Pratt spent several years developing a noise reduction unit and has licensed it to Aviation Fleet Solutions of Renton, Washington, which will obtain an STC later this year. Prospective launch customers are GECAS and SAS.
“Winglets on the aircraft could also bring savings in fuel burn,” says Heath. “You could wrap a fixed price maintenance contract around the whole aircraft, maybe bring in a financial institution and offer a complete package.” — John Morris
