New Engine Design Offers Significant Operating Cost Reduction and Increased Power

Honeywell is crowing (justifiably, no doubt) that its HTS900 turboshaft engine has received its FAA Type Certificate. The engine was certified to the FAA's FAR Part 33 Amendment 20.

"The Honeywell HTS900 engine is a new type design engine to provide superior performance at high, hot conditions, fuel efficiency, and operating costs" said Mike Cuff, Honeywell Vice President, Helicopters and Surface Systems. "This certification demonstrates Honeywell's continued success in developing the world's highest performance turboshaft engines for both the commercial and military segments.

"The Honeywell HTS900 engine produces more than 1,000 Shaft Horsepower (SHP) uninstalled at sea level on a standard day - and has accumulated more than 1,000 flight hours," Cuff said.

"Primary benefits of the HTS900 over previous generation engines are 5-10% lower fuel burn, on condition maintenance with no hard time scheduled overhaul limits, and a Dual Channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) to ease pilot workload and maintenance planning. Combined, the HTS900 offers operating costs that are 10 percent lower than previous engines." Some of the new technologies in the HTS900 include superior high pressure ratio Dual Centrifugal Compressor, cooled single-crystal turbine blades, cooled turbine nozzles, effusion cooled combustor liner.

The Dual Centrifugal Compressor configuration increases engine power output and reduces engine fuel consumption while providing for future engine power growth.

The on condition maintenance of the HTS900 engine is enabled by scheduled bore scope inspections which can be performed by the operator or Honeywell.

FMI: www.honeywell.com