Royal Aeronautical Society Honors Former Pratt & Whitney Executive for Contributions to Aviation Industry

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Dec 12, 2014, 08:00 ET

LONDON, Dec. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) honored Pratt & Whitney's former vice president of Commercial Engine Development Programs with its Silver Medal. Robert Saia is being honored for leading the Pratt & Whitney team that brought the PurePower® Geared TurboFan™ (GTF) engine family to market. To date, Pratt & Whitney has launched six PurePower GTF engine models with five airplane manufactures for 12 different aircraft models in the 75 to 220 passenger single aisle market segment. Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

"Pratt & Whitney is proud to see Bob honored with this prestigious award," said Greg Gernhardt, president, Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines. "He and his team were instrumental in the success we are experiencing today with our commercial engine business."

The RAeS nomination recognizes the benefits Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan engine program has brought to aviation and how it helped revitalize the industry with double digit savings in fuel consumption and significant benefits to the environment.

The Geared Turbofan offers a reduction in fuel consumption up to 16 percent, reduced regulated emissions by up to 50 percent and a reduction in airport community noise by 75 percent. Pratt & Whitney has received more than 6,000 PurePower engine orders and commitments, including options.

"While I'm honored to receive this award, it is a reflection of the talent, innovation and commitment of the Pratt & Whitney team that brought this geared architecture to market," said Saia. "Game changing products such as the PurePower Geared Turbofan require years of technology research, scientists and engineers with a 'can do' work ethic and significant company investment. I enjoyed leading this team of specialists in the development of this new product line."

Saia, a mechanical engineer, retired from Pratt & Whitney in June 2014 after a 41-year career.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, provides high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC, visit its website at www.utc.com, or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in levels of demand in the aerospace industry, in levels of air travel, and in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corps.' Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

For more information on the Pratt & Whitney PurePower engine, visit: www.purepowerengines.com.

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