The Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A is the Bombardier Q400 Engine that is used on all variants of the the turboprop. Pratt & Whitney Canada teamed up with Bombardier Aerospace to build the Bombardier Q400 Engine which became the PW150A. The PW150A is only used on the Bombardier Q400 Turboprop aircraft and is based on Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW100 series of turboprop engines. The Q400 Engine leads all of Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW100 line with the highest shaft horsepower (5,071 SHP), performance, and size. This performance allows the Q400 (De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400) to have performance that is unmatched among commercial turboprop aircraft. The PW150A is a very reliable engine, with PW100 series engines completing over 100 million hours of service time. This turboprop engine allows to Q400 to achieve jet-like speed (415 miles per hour), with the efficiency provided by the a turboprop powerplant. The PW150A engine provides Bombardier Q400 operators with great fuel savings when compared to a regional jet, usually around 40% savings. The PW150A is also controlled by a dual channel full-authority digital engine control (FADEC), which gives pilots easier operation of the engines. Over 1,000 PW150A engines are in service today.

Below you can get the full comprehensive details about the Bombardier Q400 or De Havilland Dash 8-400 engine. This information has been compiled by our aviation team.

The Bombardier Q400 Engine PW150A

Above Photo Copyright Pratt & Whitney Canada, used under the fair use provision.

Overview on the Construction of the Q400 Engine - Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150

The engine is a three spool free-turbine engine that has two centrifugal compressors which are powered by independent axial turbines. The Q400 engine also has a reverse flow annular combustor and a two-stage power turbine that powers an offset reduction gearbox. All engine fuel flow is controlled by FADEC - Full Authority Digital Electronic Control.

PW150A Specifications and Dimensions - Bombardier Q400 Engine Specifications and Dimensions

Model PW150A - Q400 Engine Performance

  • Power: 5071 Shaft Horsepower (SHP)
  • 5,492 Equivalent shaft horsepower.
  • Thrust: 843 pounds (lb)
  • Output: 1,020 Revolutions per Minute (RPM)

Above data is during these conditions, maximum takeoff for 5 mins at sea level.

Performance under normal takeoff at sea level:

  • 4,963 Equivalent Shaft Horsepower
  • Power: 4,580 Shaft Horsepower (SHP)
  • Thrust: 767 pounds (lb)
  • Output: 1,020 Revolutions per Minute (RPM)

Maximum continuous performance at sea level:

  • 5,492 Equivalent shaft horsepower
  • Power: 5,071 shaft horsepower (SHP)
  • Thurst: 843 pounds (lb)
  • Output: 1,020 Revolutions per Minute (RPM)

Engine Limitations


Output Shaft:

  • Maximum Continuous: 1,020 RPM

  • Max Takeoff: 1,020 RPM

  • Normal Takeoff: 1,020 RPM

  • Starting for 5 seconds: N/A

  • Transient (20 seconds): 1,173

HP Spool

  • Max Continuous: 31,150 RPM

  • Max Takeoff: 31,150 RPM

  • Normal Takeoff: Variable with ambient temperature.

  • Transient (20 Seconds): 31,525 RPM

  • Starting (5 seconds): N/A

LP Spool

  • Max Continuous: 27,000 RPM

  • Max Takeoff: 27,000 RPM

  • Transient (20 Seconds): 27,625 RPM

  • Normal takeoff: Variable with ambient temperature.

Engine Interturbine Temperature Limits
  • Max continuous: 880 Degrees Celsius
  • Max Takeoff: 880 Degrees Celsius
  • Transient (20 seconds): 920 Degrees Celsius
  • Starting (5 seconds): 920 Degrees Celsius
Maximum Torque Limits:

  • Max continuous: 26,113 Foot Pound (FT-LB)

  • Max Takeoff: 27,680 FT-LB

  • Normal Takeoff: 26,113 FT-LB

  • Transient (20 seconds): 35,252 FT-LB

Pratt and Whitney Canada PW150A Engine Diagram Photo

Above Photo Copyright Pratt & Whitney Canada, used under the fair use provision.

Engine Fuel and Oil

Fuel Used: Kerosene: Jet A (primary), A-1 & JP8. Wide Cut: Jet B JP4 or High Flash JP5 & JP1.

Oil Type Used: Synthetic that conforms to PWA 521 Type II, in PW150A maintenance manual number 3043522.
Oil Capacity: 6.58 US Gallons or 24.9 Liters (Total).
Useable: 1.48 US Gallons or 5.6 Liters.

All components of the turboprop engine are identified in Pratt & Whitney Canada's parts catalog P/N 3043524

Bombardier Q400 Engine PW150A Dimensions

Length: 95.40 inches
Width: 30.20 inches
Height: 43.50 inches

Certification

PW150A Two-Spool, Four-Stage Compressor

  • 3-stage axial, single centrifugal, all rotors integrally bladed

  • Axial and centrifugal each powered independently by low pressure and high pressure compressor turbines

  • No variable geometry

  • Easy electric start with no APU required

PW150A Reverse Flow Combustor

  • Advanced, effusion cooling

  • High efficiency and durability, low emissions and low noise

PW150A single-stage low pressure and high pressure turbines

  • Advanced materials and cooling technology for long life

PW150A Three-stage power turbine

  • Free turbine, shrouded blades

PW150A Off-set reduction gearbox with rugged design for high durability

  • 1,020 rpm output speed for low propeller noise

PW150A FADEC 

  • Features Full Authority Digital Engine Control with Dual channel redundancy

Sources

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Bombardier, De Havilland Canada, and Pratt & Whitney Canada.