ALBANY, Georgia — Thrush Aircraft, an aerial application aircraft manufacturing company, has received an FAA Type Certificate for its new 510P2+ aircraft.
It is the first of four configurations in the company’s certification program to be approved, company officials report. Certification of the other configurations is expected by the end of the summer of 2022.
The new models combine the company’s 500-gallon airframe with additional engine options from Pratt and Whitney. The 510P2 is powered by the PT6-34AG engine, while the 510P2+ is powered by the PT6-140AG engine.
Both engines are integrated with single and dual cockpit versions of the airframe, historically used for the company’s 510G model, company officials explained.
Performance data will be published on both models by July 2022, company officials added.
Company officials report they already have orders for the 510P2 and 510P2+ from customers in eight different countries.
The new production line has already been established, with company officials expecting to have 12 aircraft completed and ready for delivery, about half -140 powered, half -34 powered by the time the 510P2 receives certification.
Thrush Aircraft plans to hire more than 125 people over the next 12 months to grow its production capacity to meet the increased market demand.
The company also will continue to build its 710P aircraft, as that production line is not affected by the certification program, officials noted.