GKN Westland delivers the first Ayres Loadmaster gearbox

The first of 11 development engine gearboxes for the Ayres Loadmaster has been delivered by GKN Westland Aerospace Transmissions following successful test runs at its Yeovil, UK, plant. The gearbox combines the outputs of two turboprops, which form the Loadmaster's single 2,000kW (2,700shp) LHTEC CTP800-4T powerplant, to drive a single propeller. It has two three-stage helical gear power trains, with a clutch in the final drive pinion line of each. The Loadmaster is due to fly in the middle of next year and Phoenix, Arizona-based LHTEC will receive the first production gearboxes in early 2000.

Source: Flight International