There are hundreds of people at Pratt & Whitney Canada who work daily and diligently to build and maintain PT6 engines. It’s an impressive family of individuals, and this month we’re featuring a few PT6 family members whose passion for their jobs is clearly evident. These are some of the many people that make the PT6 engine great.
As a Project Engineer for the PT6 engine at the Longueuil Plant, Quebec, Mario Guerra is responsible for a number of applications (agricultural, military, utility, corporate) from different aircraft manufacturers and the overall PT6A engine’s controls and accessories. He interned with the company in 2001 and became a full-time employee in 2004, his entire time spent in the PT6 engine environment. “We work on new engine model development and help resolve field situations for existing models,” says Mario. “That means we deal with both aircraft manufacturers and operators around the world.”
When there is a field situation involving aspects of the PT6 engine for which he is responsible, field support representatives (FSRs) and Customer Service Engineering (CSE) turn to Mario for technical assistance. “The FSRs and CSE are typically the first line of support for customer service,” he says. “We represent the second line. If it’s an AOG [Aircraft on Ground] situation, whatever I might have planned for the day often gets put on hold as we focus our energy on resolving the situation and getting the operator back in the air.”
While the PT6 engine has been central to Mario’s career to date, the engine resonates with him on a personal level. “My family has a background in the utility and airline industry,” he says. “The PT6 engine is rugged and powers a wide range of applications, including aircraft that are used for utility applications like shipping. That’s why it appeals to me: It has a real business purpose that drives industry and helps the economy grow.”
He foresees a long career at P&WC, he says, working on an engine that is exceptionally versatile and has great potential for future growth.