Frontier Airlines and Pratt & Whitney have today unveiled ‘Edward the Bald Eagle’, a new Airbus A321neo powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, in honor of late Tuskegee Airman Edward Hall.
On Monday (February 13, 2023), Pratt & Whitney announced the unveiling of Frontier Airlines’ newest GTF-powered Airbus A321neo. The aircraft has been named ‘Edward the Bald Eagle’ in honor of late Tuskegee Airman, Edward Hall. The aircraft’s livery features Pratt & Whitney’s hallmark bald eagle on the tail and ‘Edward the Bald Eagle’ on the forward fuselage. Edward Hall was one of the first African American military aviators, and was trained as a Bombardier and Navigator, and served as a member of the famed Tuskegee Airman during World War II. Following military service, Mr. Hall spent 33 years with Pratt & Whitney, retiring as a metallurgist in 1983.
In Monday’s announcement, Pratt &Whitney’s Vice President – Mature Commercial Engines, Earl Exum, said,
“The Tuskegee Airmen were among the most talented and decorated U.S. World War II pilots, yet they returned from distinguished military service only to face a battle for desegregation and equality at home. Aviation pioneers like Hall have been the talent and intelligence behind decades of groundbreaking engines at Pratt & Whitney. We believe diversity and inclusion are differentiators for creativity and innovation, so it is moving to see his heroism, life and legacy honored in this way.”
Also commenting on the reveal of 'Edward the Bald Eagle', Frontier Airlines’ President & CEO, Barry Biffle, added,
“We are extremely proud that our newest A321neo features a bald eagle on its tail named for the late Edward Hall, who valiantly served our country as a Tuskegee Airman, achieved remarkable professional success following his military career, and helped break barriers for African Americans through his advocacy and leadership. This latest A321neo to join the Frontier fleet is powered by the groundbreaking Pratt & Whitney GTF engines and their innovative sustainability benefits which are helping to support our mission as America’s Greenest Airline.”
Frontier Airlines and Pratt & Whitney Name GTF-Powered A321neo 'Edward the Bald Eagle', in Honor of Late Tuskegee Airman Edward Hall - Courtesy Pratt & Whitney
Frontier’s ‘Edward the Bald Eagle’ is the third of 144 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft (134 purchased/10 leased) for which the carrier has selected the GTF engine. The first GTF-powered A321neo joined Frontier’s fleet in October 2022, and was named ‘Frederick the Bald Eagle’ in honor of Pratt & Whitney’s Founder Frederick B. Rentschler. The second joined Frontier’s fleet in January 2023 and was named ‘Maria the Bald Eagle’ celebrating Maria Della Posta, the first female to lead a Pratt & Whitney business unit.
Frontier and Pratt & Whitney’s relationship dates back to 1994 when the airline commenced operations with a Boeing 737-200 powered by Pratt and Whitney JT8D engines. The carrier later operated Embraer E170 and E190 aircraft, which were equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada APS2300 APUs.
The Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engine is the only geared propulsion system delivering industry-leading sustainability benefits, mature dispatch reliability and world-class operating costs. The engine offers the greatest fuel efficiency and lowest GHG emissions for the A320neo Family. GTF-powered aircraft reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 16-20 percent, NOx emissions by 50 percent versus ICAO CAEP/6 emissions regulations and a 75 percent smaller noise footprint compared to prior generation aircraft. The engine is certified to run on 50 percent SAF, and has been successfully tested with 100 percent SAF.
A division of Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX), Pratt & Whitney is a global leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines and auxiliary power units (APUs) for commercial, military, regional, business and general aviation aircraft. Pratt & Whitney is known for their innovative technologies such as the Geared Turbofan (GTF) commercial aircraft engine and the PW800 business jet engine.
Source(s): Pratt & Whitney, Frontier Airlines