Soloy Aviation Solutions has begun flight testing a Cessna 206 re-engined with a Rolls-Royce 250-B17F turboprop. The Soloy Turbine 206 Mk2 is expected to be certificated in the first quarter of next year as a follow-on to the company’s Turbine 206 Mk1 conversion.

Whereas the Mk1 is powered by a 420shp (310kW) 250-C20S helicopter turboshaft driving a Soloy-developed reduction gearbox, the 450shp -B17F engine in the Mk2 is a turboprop and has its own gearbox. “It’s a completely redesigned installation,” says Olympia, Washington-based Soloy.

soloy 206Mk2 
© Soloy Aviation Solutions  

 The Soloy Turbine 206 Mk2 will offer improved performance over the Mk1

Including a new engine, the conversion is priced at $524,000 installed at Soloy. The company says the Mk2 will have more payload than the Mk1 and improved cruise performance from the reduced drag of the installation. The prototype will make its debut at the AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin later this month.

Soloy has sold around 150 Turbine 206 Mk1 conversion kits in 20 years, and says demand is growing as avgas prices increase and, in some areas of the world, availability worsens.

■ Soloy has received Canadian certification for its re-engining of the Eurocopter AS350B2 with the Honeywell LTS101-700D-2 turbo­shaft. This “SD2” conversion follows the Super D programme, which re-engines LTS101-powered AS350Ds with the improved LTS101-600A-3A.

Source: Flight International

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