SAVANNAH, Georgia – Prime Turbines has agreed to provide full overhaul capability in support of GE Aviation H Series turboprops operating in the United States. Prime Turbines and GE will also develop a new H Series test cell at Carter Field to support the enhanced service agreement.
The agreement expands on a 2014 announcement where Dallas-based Prime Turbines became a Designated Repair Center for GE’s M601 and H Series turboprop engine operators in the Americas. Under the 2014 agreement, Prime Turbines offers heavy repair services, engines rentals, line replacement unit rotable pools and field service support to all existing and future M601 and H80 engines. GE Aviation provides OEM parts to meet Prime Turbine's needs.
As part of the new agreement, Prime will buy its first H80 lease pool engine and will develop full H Series overhaul capability beginning in 2017. In the first quarter of 2016, Prime Turbines and GE Aviation will begin developing a new test cell to support engine overhauls at Carter Field.
"For more than 30 years, Prime Turbines has provided its customers with maintenance flexibility and reduced costs, making them a great fit with GE's engine service model," said Norman Baker, president & managing executive of GE Aviation's Business and General Aviation Turboprops. "Prime Turbine's strong presence throughout the United States will help us deliver quality service and support to our customers."
"Prime Turbines is very excited to expand our MRO services to the GE H Series clientele," said Paul Goffredi, President and COO at VSE Aviation. "These engines are a natural extension to our portfolio as we increase our focus on the turboprop market."
The H Series turboprop 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 for a multitude of uses: agricultural, business turboprops, commuter and utility aircraft. GE is also developing an integrated electronic engine control (EEC) for true single lever power control, and full auto-start capability to help ease pilot workload for H Series-powered aircraft. Certification of the EEC is expected in the first half of 2016 with the first application being the Nextant G90XT.
About Prime Turbines
Prime Turbines is a subsidiary of VSE Corporation. VSE is a preferred strategic partner providing customized solutions that improve operational readiness across multiple platforms, increasing our clients’ agility. VSE groups and subsidiaries include Wheeler Bros., Inc., VSE Aviation, Inc. (which includes Prime Turbines, CT Aerospace, Kansas Aviation and Air Parts & Supply Co.), Federal Services Group, Akimeka LLC and Energetics Incorporated. Each of our groups and subsidiaries provide specialized services and solutions to meet the needs of our customers.
VSE Corporation is a publically traded company which increases financial strength and market exposure for Prime Turbines. Locations for Prime Turbines include: Dallas, Hyannis, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Wynne and Germany. For more information, visit http://www.primeturbines.com/.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.