GE Aviation Czech is set to begin, by year-end, certification testing of its new 800shp (600kW) H80 turboprop engine which is targeted at the utility, agriculture and business and general aviation aircraft markets. Component testing of the H80 engine has been under way for several months, and GE has recently started aeromechanical and performance testing on engines.
Certification is earmarked for early next year and the H80 is scheduled to enter service on the Thrush 510 agricultural soon after, says the Prague-based company.
The H80 is the first new commercial turboprop engine for GE in more than a decade, says Brad Mottier, the company's vice-president and general manager for its business and general aviation division. "The results from our component and engine demonstration tests of the H80 engine have been very positive."
The H80 engine is based on the design of the Walter M601 powerplant, but GE Aviation Czech claims it will deliver more shaft-horsepower than the M601, improved fuel efficiency, increased temperature margin, enhanced hot-day take-off performance and high-altitude cruise speeds, and an overhaul interval of 3,600h and 6,600 cycles.
In September, GE Aviation Czech received research grants from the Czech government worth $4 million to develop new turboprop engine technologies.
Source: Flight International
