EVENDALE, OHIO -- GE Aviation and Aeromecanic have signed an agreement for Aeromecanic to become an Authorized Service Center for the M601 and H80 turboprop engines. As an Authorized Service Center, Aeromecanic will offer comprehensive line maintenance, removals and re-installations of engines and LRU, on-wing heavy repairs and manage a pool of spare/rental engines for the Western Europe and North Africa region. GE Aviation will provide Aeromecanic with comprehensive material support and training.
"Aeromecanic is one of the largest Cessna dealers outside the U.S. and has extensive experience with Cessna aircrafts, as well as Beechcraft and Fairchild turboprops," said Paul Theofan, president and managing executive of GE Aviation's Business and General Aviation Turboprops. "Aeromecanic's location and strong reputation in Western Europe and North Africa will help us meet the needs of our growing customer base around the world."
Based in Marseille, France, Aeromecanic is one of the most well-known general and business aviation shops in France. A Part 145 and Part MG+I facility, Aeromecanic also sells and leases aircraft. With a 24-hour Aircraft On Ground services, technicians can reach all parts of Europe in a few hours. Aeromecanic works everyday with European and North African customers.
GE Aviation's Business & General Aviation Turboprops has more than 1,600 M601 engines in service that have accumulated more than 17 million flight hours on 30 applications. The H80 engine received its engine type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) late last year and will power business and general aviation, utility and agriculture aircraft. The H80 engine combines the elegant, robust design of the M601 engine with GE's 3-D aerodynamic design techniques and advanced materials to create a more powerful, fuel-efficient, durable engine compared with the M601 engine, with no recurrent fuel nozzle inspections and no hot section inspection. The H80 engine will also feature an extended service life of 3,600 flight-hours or 6,600 cycles between overhauls, significantly enhanced hot-day takeoff performance and high-altitude cruise speeds. The H80 will provide the option of a single- or dual-acting governor, allowing customers flexibility in propeller selection.
The H80 engine has been selected to power multiple applications, including the Aircraft Industries L410 commuter plane, Thrush 510G agricultural aircraft and Technoavia's newly designed Rysachok aircraft, a twin-engine, 10-seat general aviation aircraft. The H80-powered Thrush 510G aircraft has been flight testing since last year and entry into service is anticipated this year. In November, Aircraft Industries began its flight tests of the H80-powered L410 aircraft, which is expected to enter service later this year.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.