AYRES WANTS more powerful engines for the LM200 Loadmaster freighter and it is talking to LHTEC and Pratt & Whitney Canada about how they can satisfy the new requirement.
The agricultural-aircraft maker, based in Albany, Georgia, launched the Loadmaster cargo aircraft in November 1996 with an order for 50 from FedEx. The parcels carrier has options for 200 additional aircraft over 15 years from first delivery in December 1999. The first ßight is planned for late 1998.
As envisioned, the high-wing, single-piloted Loadmaster is to be powered by two 11,000kW (1,350shp) CTP800s driving a single propeller through a common gearbox.
The engine combination offered to FedEx by the Allison/ AlliedSignal joint-venture produces a total of 1,800kW. Ayres president Fred Ayres now wants a minimum of 2,000kW, although he would prefer 2,450kW, which is achievable only through the use of a turboshaft engine based on the LHTEC T800-801, the growth engine for the Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche helicopter.
Ayres believes that he needs more power to enhance international sales of the all-new aircraft, the wing of which is based on the Ayres Thrush cropduster. He is talking to P&WC about a PT6/Soloy Twinpac power unit as an alternative to the coupled LHTEC CTP800 engines.
Switching to CTP800 turboshaft engines offering 2,000kW would increase the aircraft's weight and specific fuel consumption to a small extent, say LHTEC officials. Moving to the Comanche powerplant would require a combining-gearbox development programme and a delay in aircraft certification.
LHTEC officials are trying "-to get all three parties to line up on a single certification programme" involving 1,000kW CTP800 engines "by the Paris air show timeframe", they add.
Source: Flight International
