GE Aviation announced today during Day 2 of NBAA 2013 that Nextant Aerospace has selected GE’s H80 engine as the engine to power it’s G90XT aircraft, a model built upon ideas for enhancing the existing King Air C90 aircraft. The company also announced that it has entered into a collaborative agreement to be the preferred engine supplier for future Nextant product studies.
“Nextant’s agreement with GE is an exciting milestone for our business. For our customers, it means we can offer them an expanded range of products, which offer an exceptional combination of performance and economy. Nextant’s purchase price advantage is now matched by the significant savings in fuel and maintenance costs, thanks to the advanced technology built into GE’s powerplants,” said Sean McGeough, president of Nextant Aerospace.
“The H80 engine for Nextant’s G90XT aircraft will incorporate several new features that bring additional value to customers,” said Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager of the Business & General Aviation and Integrated Systems organization at GE Aviation. “We look forward to further collaboration with Nextant on more opportunities that lie ahead.”
The enhanced H80 engine for the G90XT will include an integrated electronic engine control for single-lever power control, full auto-start capability and direct interface with the aircraft avionics system to further ease pilot work load. The engine will also incorporate a new slower-turning propeller gearbox for reduced cabin and community noise. Other key features of the H80 engine are GE’s 3-D aerodynamic design techniques and advanced materials that create a powerful, fuel-efficient, durable engine with no recurrent fuel nozzle inspections and no hot section inspection. The engine has a service life of 3,600 flight-hours or 6,600 cycles between overhauls. The H80 engine family also offers a standard auto start and limiting unit to simplify engine start-up as well as a choice of propeller governors to allow customers flexibility in propeller selection. We have taken a ride in an H80-powered King Air before, and can attest to some of these statements.
Find out more at www.geaviation.com and www.nextantaerospace.com