Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, China - Beidahuang General Aviation Company received its first six H80 powered Thrush 510G aircraft on September 6. Beidahuang General Aviation Company, a subsidiary of the State-Owned-Enterprise Beidahuang Group ordered 20 Thrush 510G aircraft powered by GE’s H80 turboprop engines in 2012, and it was also the largest single order of Thrush Aircraft ever received. The Thrush 510G agricultural aircraft was the first aircraft to enter service powered by H80 engines.
"We're excited to receive this first batch of Thrush aircraft," said Guo Qingcai, General Manager of Beidahuang General Aviation Company. "These aircraft will become the backbone for our operation and we believe they will make lots of contributions in the future."
"GE is proud to see the H80-powered Thrush 510G delivered to our first Chinese customer," said Jim Stoker, president and managing executive of GE Aviation's Business and General Aviation Turboprops. "We are confident that the advanced material and technology of H80 engines will improve the productivity of Beidahuang General Aviation Company."
Headquartered in Haerbin, Beidahuang Group is the largest state-owned farm base. Its subsidiary Beidahuang General Aviation Company was established in 1985, now becomes the world largest agricultural and forestry aviation company. It operates a fleet of 54 aircraft.
GE Aviation has taken steps to ensure the H80 engines have a smooth entry into service in Beidahuang's fleet. Line maintenance classes have been completed to help customers learn how to keep their engines in top operating condition. GE Aviation has also developed an extensive network of service and support centers around the world, including China.
The H80 turboprop engine family incorporates GE's 3-D aerodynamic design techniques and advanced materials to create a powerful, fuel-efficient, durable engine with no recurrent fuel nozzle inspections and no hot section inspection. The engines feature a service life of 3,600 flight-hours or 6,600 cycles between overhauls. The H80 engine family also offers a standard auto start and limiting unit to simplify engine start-up as well as a choice of propeller governors to allow customers flexibility in propeller selection.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet, turboprop and turboshaft engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.