Okmulgee, OK – After servicing literally thousands of Pratt & Whitney Canada R-985 and R-1340 radial engines over more than fifty years, Covington Aircraft Engines has announced it will be closing their legendary radial engine shop at the end of 2025.
Bob Covington and Paul Abbott founded the company in 1972 with a focus on Pratt & Whitney Canada’s two powerful radials – the R-985 and R-1340 – initially serving customers primarily in the air cargo market delivering automobile parts. Thanks to the work ethic, skills, and knowledge of the company’s workforce, Covington’s radial engine shop grew significantly year-to-year, along with a reputation for outstanding service and attention to detail that remain pillars of the company’s operations today. This year, in fact, Covington will service it’s 10,000th Pratt & Whitney Canada radial engine – a milestone unmatched by any other radial engine service provider.
“The decision to wind down our radial shop operations was a difficult one” said Aaron Abbott, president of Covington Aircraft Engines. “Servicing those great engines formed the foundation of our company and allowed us to build a reputation we are extremely proud of. It’s a heritage we are very blessed to be able to celebrate.”
Throughout this year, Covington’s radial shop will continue to overhaul R-985 and R-1340 engines, and will, of course, honor the written warranty period on its work.
About Covington
Headquartered in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Covington Aircraft Engines specializes in Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turbine engines, with a full suite of supporting services and inventory. As the only privately held U.S. owned Pratt & Whitney factory Designated Overhaul Facility, Covington provides warranty and parts support, technical advice, and maintenance services to corporate, agricultural, and humanitarian aircraft customers. With a multi-million-dollar parts inventory, a fleet of PT6A rental engines, state-of-the-art test cell capabilities, and 24-hour rapid response mobile repair teams, Covington is well positioned and capable to reach and assist virtually any PT6A customer worldwide. As a faith-based company, Covington also supports missionary and humanitarian efforts around the world both personally and financially, with a percentage of the company’s profits going to assist missionaries and humanitarian work each year.