Pratt & Whitney always believed the pivotal launch of the geared turbofan for regional and smaller airliners was the first step to opening a crack in the door back to the big time. Now, with tests of the first Airbus A320NEO engine about to begin, there is no disguising Pratt's view that the door is finally yawning wide open.For a company that formerly dominated the commercial jet engine business this is an unfamiliar, but welcome feeling. Yet as Pratt, Airbus and program partners marked the ceremonial completion of the first NEO test engine at a "last bolt" ceremony at the company's West Palm Beach site on Oct. 26, there were mixed signs of confidence and nerves as preparations for the acid test of certification began.
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