World’s First GE H80-Powered King Air Delivered

–SMYRNA, TENNESSEE—December 20, 2012.  Smyrna Air Center, Inc. has delivered the world’s first King Air C90 powered by General Electric’s new H80 800 SHP engines.  A formal ribbon cutting and delivery presentation was held at Smyrna Air Center at Smyrna Airport (MQY) in Smyrna Tennessee on Thursday December 20^th, 2012.  In attendance was Greg Ryan, Sales Director at GE Aviation.

The aircraft, a 1974 King Air C90, LJ-627, N4447W was fitted with two brand new GE H80 800 SHP engines, and two brand new Avia V510 5-Blade Quiet Propellers.  Already installed were Raisbeck Wing Lockers, and Raisbeck Dual Aft Body Strakes.  Smyrna Air Center’s Avionics Department also installed Dual Garmin G600 MFD/PFD/AHRS (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6427), ADS-B Compliant Garmin GTX-330ES Mode S Transponder, and Garmin GWX-70 Color Radar, and Garmin 530W GPS, and a GDL-69 Satellite Weather Downlink.  Finally, Smyrna Air Center completed a Phase 1-4 inspection series.  Brenda Fields, Chief Operating Officer for Smyrna Air Center commented “I am so proud of our maintenance team.  They are some of the best King Air mechanics and avionics technicians in the industry and they are the ones who deserve the credit for making the delivery of this Power90 King Air such a huge success.”

Bob Fields, CEO of Smyrna Air Center said “we are finally realizing our dream of selling slots for the Power 90 Program.  The GE H80 engines make the 90-Series King Air a 290 knot aircraft at 28,000 feet and will take you from runway to 28,000 feet in just 17 minutes!”  Dan Sigl, Director of Business Development for the Power 90 Program added; “GE is fully supporting this program with financing and a power by the hour program entitled OnPoint™.”  “ This is just the beginning for our Power90 Program and what better way to begin than with this spectacular aircraft”, added Sigl.

Accepting delivery for the new owner was Curt Drumm, owner of Lakeshore Aviation in Manitowoc Wisconsin.  Mr. Drumm will place the aircraft on his part 135 charter certificate and operate it for the new owner.  “I could not be more pleased with Smyrna Air Center, GE, or the aircraft, said Drumm.  The excitement over this aircraft is high and has allowed us to pre-sell charter time in the plane.  We fully expect to keep four-seven whiskey flying day after day.”  “I’m already starting to get calls from potential H80 customers wanting to demo the plane”, continued Drumm.

Blake Tumbleson, Owner of Tumbleson Aviation Consulting handles aircraft sales for the company through a strategic alliance.  “This program is about to be the talk of the industry.  Smyrna Air Center has a winner with the Power90 Conversion and I’m so pleased to represent this product.”

“Power 90” is an FAA-Approved STC Engine Conversion, owned by Smyrna Air Center for Beechcraft King Air models 90, A90, B90, C90, and E90 aircraft.  The conversion program includes a full phase 1-4 inspection, removal of the factory installed engines, installation of two GE brand new H80 engines, and installation of two brand new Avia 5-Blade Quiet Props.

The GE H80 engine combines the M601 engine with GE’s 3-D aerodynamic design techniques and advanced materials to create a more powerful, fuel-efficient, and durable engine than the already efficient M601.  GE Aviation’s Business & General Aviation Turboprops have more than 1,600 M601 engines in service that have accumulated more than 17 million flight hours on 30 applications.

The GE H80 engine requires no fuel nozzle cleanings due to its unique slinger ring design, no required hot section inspections, and 3,600 flight-hours, and 6,600 cycles between overhauls.  Owners can expect significantly enhanced hot-day takeoff performance and high altitude cruise speeds

Smyrna Air Center, Inc. is a full service Fixed Base Operation (FBO) based at the Smyrna Rutherford County Airport (MQY) in Smyrna, Tennessee, just outside Nashville, Tennessee.  Smyrna Air Center offers General Aviation and Business Aviation fueling, FAA Part 145 maintenance and avionics inspections, repairs, and installations, aircraft brokerage and consulting services, contract fuel pricing, as well as cargo fueling, handling and cartage.  They hold a contract with the United States Military and handle fueling operations for military aircraft transiting the airport.  Hangar and tie down space is also available as well as 18 acres for hangar expansion.  Smyrna Air Center has enjoyed continuous business operations since 1984 and in 2007 expanded operations by building a new FBO terminal, maintenance and avionics facility and storage facilities.

Visit Smyrna Air Center’s website at http://www.smyrnaaircenter.com.