Vector

Global provider of aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services provider Vector Aerospace has completed its first full engine test on the Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PT6A-140 turboprop engine at its facility in South Africa.

The PT6A-140 has powered a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft and is also offered as an upgrade for earlier models of the 208 Caravan family.

Built by Cessna, the 208 Caravan is a single-engine turboprop, short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft with fixed-tricycle landing gear, which is manufactured in the US.

Vector Aerospace’s Atlantic division engine services president Jeff Poirier said: "We consider the successful completion of this engine test to be a major milestone and achievement for our South African facility.

"The PT6A-140 has powered a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft and is also offered as an upgrade for earlier 208 Caravan family models."

"We want operators of PT6A-140-powered Cessna 208 Caravans to know we are more than ready to perform complete overhauls on their engines. Our South African facility is truly the preferred shop in the region to get work done."

In July 2014, the company’s South African facility at the Lanseria International Airport was appointed a designated overhaul facility (DOF) for the PT6A-140 engine.

The location also serves as a P&WC distributor and designated overhaul facility (DDOF) for other models in the PT6A engine family, including the PT6A-114/114A variants used on previous versions of the Caravan.

Vector’s South African facility is equipped with full hot section exchange kits, fuel nozzles, and a complete line of accessories. It also provides an engine overhaul service, testing, and inspections for sudden stop and lightning strike events.

Currently, Vector employs 150 people to support its mobile repair team (MRT), which provides aircraft operators worldwide.


Image: Vector Aerospace’s South African facility. Photo: courtesy of Vector Aerospace.