GE debuts new turboprop engine for GA

GE Aviation unveiled its new turboprop engine, which has been selected by Textron Aviation to power its single engine turboprop (SETP), at last week’s National Business Aviation Association’s annual convention.

The 1,300 shaft horse power (SHP)-rated turboprop engine is the first entry in GE’s new family of turboprop engines aimed at business and general aviation aircraft in the 850-1,600 SHP range, according to GE officials.

The new engine features a 16:1 overall pressure ratio (OPR), enabling the engine to achieve up to 20% lower fuel burn and 10% higher cruise power, with 4,000-6,000 hour time between overhauls, officials noted.

“Our single engine turboprop will combine the best of both clean-sheet aircraft and new engine designs. Selecting GE as our engine partner reflects the best fit for the mission of the aircraft and our commitment to reliably deliver best-in-class performance capabilities to our customers,” said Christi Tannahill, senior vice president, Turboprops and Interior Design at Textron Aviation. “By leveraging the newest technologies, we expect our SETP to outperform the competition in critical areas ranging from cabin size and acquisition cost to performance capability and fuel savings.”

New design and manufacturing technologies leveraged from GE’s latest military and commercial engines — such as 3D aero compressor designs derived from its newest commercial engines and additive manufacturing capabilities pioneered by the CFM LEAP turbofan — help GE’s advanced turboprop to extend time between maintenance overhauls up to 30% more than existing engines, according to company officials.

Key features of GE’s new turboprop engine include:

• All-titanium, 3D aero compressor design for light-weight and efficient power generation.
• Cooled turbine blades enabling higher thrust and fuel efficiency, leveraging the T700/CT7’s 100 million flight hours and more than 5 million flight hours in hot/harsh environments.
• Additive manufactured structural components for reduced weight, improved performance and durability.
• Integrated electronic propulsion control for optimized single-lever engine and propeller control.

GE expects to conduct the detailed design review (DDR) for the new turboprop in 2017 followed by the first full engine test in 2018.

Development, testing and production of new turboprop engine will occur at GE Aviation’s new turboprop Center of Excellence in Europe.