April 18, 2016 – Day One – Montréal – Aerospace MBA PT 10 – Pratt & Whitney Canada – St-Hubert

 

Arrival in Montréal

Arrival in Montréal

7.45 A.M. – HEC Montréal – 6°C – Cloudy:  The Skyport International bus drives the Aerospace MBA PT 10 cohort to Pratt & Whitney facilities in Saint-Hubert.

8.30 A.M. – Pratt & Whitney: Thanks to our efficient driver, we’re on time and warmly welcomed by Ms. Josée Bourque. With the visitor’s badges given at the Security guardhouse, we enter into the main lobby (building H12), wearing foot and eye protection. Mr. François Blanchard, Business Unit Manager is sharing information about Pratt & Whitney Canada (history, values & mission, key figures, activities…). Over 8,800 people are working in Pratt & Whitney Canada (including 4,800 in Quebec). PWC manufactured 85,000 engines to date (turboprop, turboshaft and turbofan, and APU). 30,000 aircraft are currently equipped with PWC (12,000 operators, 700 airlines, 200 countries, 52,000 engines in service, PWC is working with more than 30 major aircraft OEM).

 

 

Skyport International bus

Skyport International bus

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Pascale Tremblay is joining us for a while with a warmhearted welcome speech. We then move to Plant 5 (Main Building) where 700 people are working. This is the St-Hubert AMO facility. Annie described the product lines and the big challenge of implementing lean transformation plan for repair & overhaul. It takes now 4 days to disassemble a PW150 engine. Once disassembled, the engine is washed and inspected. Depending on the scope of the engine, of the customer’s instructions and the inspection, the engine is then repaired or overhauled (45 to 60 days). We all then have had the opportunity to go the testing facilities (simulation of the engine performance in a separate room: temperature, rotation speed, flow reverses…). After the tests, a performance sheet is issued according to the spec of the engine. Only 30’ are required to install the engine on the bench test. The duration of the test depends then on the nature of the operation (repair or overhaul). The test systems are robust, accurate and updated to make it possible to test the various engines. Impressive soundproofing roo! When the technician entered fully protected and equipped into the room where the engine was ending the test, a very loud familiar sound of aircraft engine came out suddenly. Mr. Jean-Sébastien Ratelle, Regional Sales & Marketing Manager / North America concluded the visit with a knowledgeable presentation of the Engine Maintenance services (Fleet Management Program, Eagle Service Plan, Cfirst, FSRs, Mobile repair teams and even engine leasing). Market, stakes, trends have been covered thanks to Q&A session with the much participative Aerospace MBA Part-timers! Eventually Mr. François Blanchard answered additional questions. We deeply thank Pratt & Whitney staff for the time spent with us, the valuable and rich presentations done, and the warm welcome!

Pratt & Whitney Canada

Pratt & Whitney Canada

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.