Agreement Marks GE Next Generation Turboprops' First Entry Into Russian Market

Technoavia, a Russian-based aircraft manufacturer, has signed a 10-year sales and cooperation agreement with GE Aviation for the purchase of H80 engines. The engine agreement is for the newly designed Rysachok aircraft, a twin-engine, 10-seat general aviation aircraft, which will primarily be used by Russia's Civil Aviation State Pilot Schools. Technoavia signed firm engine orders for 30 aircraft and has options for another 30 aircraft.

The agreement between Technoavia and GE also includes collaboration on engine certification, engine installation and development of service and support for GE products in Russia.

"Customized for Russian conditions, more than 250 GE M601 engines are in service today. We look forward to growing this new partnership with Technoavia," said Paul Theofan, president and managing executive of GE Aviation's Business and General Aviation Turboprops.

GE H80 Engine

Technoavia plans to complete GE H80-powered Rysachok aircraft certification by the end of 2011.  The first flight of the Rysachok aicraft took place in December 2010 with GE's M601 engines. Technoavia's Rysachok will be a multi-purpose aircraft used as utility, commuter, cargo, taxi, medical transportation and more. The Rysachok aircraft will be built at a production plant in Samara, Russia, with initial manufacturing capacity of up to 12 aircraft per year.

Scientific Commercial Firm (SCF) Technoavia LLC, located in Moscow, Russia, specializes in the design of small aircraft and modernization of existing aircraft. Founded in 1992, Technoavia has designed and introduced more than seven aircraft types into production.

FMI:  www.ge.com/aviation