GE delivers first H75 engines to Nextant Aerospace; G90XT first flight scheduled for 2Q 2014
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved type certification for GE Aviation's H75 turboprop engine. Following engine certification, GE delivered two H75s to power Nextant Aerospace's G90XT 2Q flight testing and 4Q aircraft certification program.
"The U.S. FAA type certification on the H75 engine opens the skies for Nextant's G90XT service entry in 2015," said Jim Stoker, president and managing executive of GE Aviation's Business and General Aviation Turboprops. "GE Aviation stands ready to fully support Nextant through its certification process and we'll continue to support all H Series customers with our expanded service network and customer training classes to ensure smooth entry into service across our wide range of new platforms."
"We've started the process of converting the aircraft and we couldn't be more excited to accept the first H75 engines for our certification program," said Sean McGeough, president of Nextant Aerospace . "We're looking forward to the forthcoming G90XT first flight and first customer delivery later this year."
In 2013, Nextant selected GE's H Series to power its first G90XT turboprop aircraft, built upon enhancing and remanufacturing the King Air C90 aircraft. In addition to business aviation, the G90XT aircraft will be available in Special Mission configurations for air ambulance, freight, training, surveillance and high-density seating. With more than 7,000 King Air aircraft produced, Nextant will have a large pool of airframes from which to choose.
GE Aviation and Nextant are studying additional product offerings with GE as the preferred engine supplier.
The H75 engine is rated at 750 shaft horsepower (shp) for takeoff and maximum continuous operation. Like the H80 engine, the H75 is aimed at the agricultural, commuter, utility and business turboprop aircraft segments. Its US FAA engine certification follows similar certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in November 2012.
The H75 turboprop builds on GE's 3-D aerodynamic design techniques and advanced materials as developed for the H80 engine to create a more powerful, fuel-efficient, durable engine with no recurrent fuel nozzle inspections and no hot section inspection. The H75 engine will feature an initial overhaul interval of 4,000 flight-hours or 8,000 cycles between overhauls. It will provide the option of a single- or dual-acting governor, allowing customers to have flexibility in propeller selection.
New H Series technologies include an electronic engine control (EEC) system for enhanced engine and propeller operability, additive manufactured components for weight reduction and assembly simplification and a slower-turning propeller gearbox for reduced cabin noise and increased engine cruise efficiency.
Nextant Aerospace
Nextant's pioneering process for remanufacturing business jets is now recognized as an established technical and commercial success worldwide with significant sales in every major operator category and class-leading levels of comfort, performance, and reliability at a purchase price half that of comparable aircraft. The revolutionary 400XTi light jet features Williams FJ44-3AP engines and the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21™ integrated flight deck. The same winning combination of the latest technology in remanufactured airframes is expected to repeat this success with the G90XT turboprop powered by next-generation GE H75 engines and an enhanced Garmin G1000 integrated flight deck. Founded in 2007, Nextant is a Directional Aviation Capital company based in Cleveland, Ohio.
GE Aviation
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.