Cascade Aircraft Conversions has signed a contract to purchase GE's M601 turboprop engines for its conversion supplemental type certificates (STCs) on Thrush and Air Tractor 300, 400 and 500 series agricultural aircraft. 

Cascade Aircraft Conversions currently holds STCs for the M601E-11 and M601D-11 engines on the Thrush aircraft and the Air Tractor 300, 400 and 500 series aircraft. The agreement signed at the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) meeting formalizes the engine purchases with GE, which acquired Walter Aircraft Engines and its M601 engine family last year. 

"Cascade Aircraft Conversions has a deep understanding of the M601 engines and the benefits the engine conversion offers to Thrush and Air Tractor aircraft owners," said Paul Theofan, president and managing executive of GE Aviation Czech s.r.o., a wholly owned subsidiary of GE Aviation. "GE is pleased to formalize its relationship with Cascade and looks forward to working together to offer the M601 engine conversions to operators around the world." 

Doran Rogers, founder and CEO of Cascade Aircraft Conversions, LLC, said, "We are pleased and gratified to be in a working relationship with GE Aviation, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial association, providing engines and service to the agricultural aviation industry. Cascade and the customers we represent will benefit from the latest technological advances and research that GE has to offer, now and in the future." 

The benefits for engine conversions on the aircraft include lower acquisition and maintenance costs with no nozzles, no hot section inspections and no engine teardown in a wire strike event. The M601 engine also offers improved hot and high performance. 

Cascade Aircraft Conversions is a diverse multi-faceted total aircraft rebuild and refurbishing company in addition to its aircraft conversion offerings. Located in Washington State, Cascade has been serving the agricultural aviation industry nationally and internationally for more than 35 years. 

GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as avionics, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.