Step In Certification Process For The Airplane Powered By The New Engines

Aircraft Industries has completed the first flight test of the L410-UVP-E20 powered by two of GE's H80 turboprop engines. The 40-minute flight occurred in Kunovice in the Czech Republic on November 16.

"The H80 engine performed extremely well in the first flight on the L410," said Miroslav Kozisek, product support director at Aircraft Industries. "The flight test crew put the aircraft and engines through many maneuvers, and the results are very promising as we begin our flight tests. We look forward to certifying the aircraft/engine combination and offering our customers the new H80 engines as a powerplant on the L410."

"This flight is the first time the H80 engine has powered a commuter plane, and the team is thrilled with the initial test flight data," said Paul Theofan, president and managing executive of GE Aviation's Business and General Aviation Turboprops. "While the current L410 has been popular in Russia, South America and Africa, the H80 engine's significant hot-day takeoff performance and high-altitude cruise speeds will allow the re-engined L410 to operate in additional regions around the world, which is exciting news for existing L410 operators as well as new potential customers."

The flight test is part of the certification program for the H80-powered L410 aircraft, which is expected to be complete in third quarter of 2012. Upon certification of the aircraft engine combination, Aircraft Industries will offer GE's H80 engine on all new L410 aircraft as well as an engine upgrade program to existing customers that operate M601-powered L410s.

FMI: www.geaviation.com