CINCINNATI, OHIO – Serviços Officina e Manutenção Aeronáutica (SOMA), based in Primavera do Leste, Brazil, and Avion Alliance, based in Bratislava, Slovakia, signed separate agreements with GE Aviation Czech to become Authorized Service Centers (ASCs) for GE’s H Series turboprop engines. Under these agreements, SOMA and Avion Alliance will offer repair services, line replacement unit and field service support to all existing and future H Series engines, along with the legacy M601 engines. GE Aviation Czech will provide OEM parts to meet the needs of both newly named ASCs.
“As the H Series in-service fleet continues to grow across the world, we’re ensuring our support network grows along with it to provide the best possible care for our customers,” said Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager of GE Aviation’s Business & General Aviation and Integrated Services organization. “With this expanded support network, local operators will receive faster service at a lower cost.”
Since entering service in 2012, more than 200 H Series engines have been delivered to operators flying diverse aircraft, including Aircraft Industries’ L410 commuter plane and the Thrush 510G agricultural aircraft.
GE Aviation Czech continues to invest in improving performance and maintenance capabilities for its growing turboprop fleet, by working with Prime Turbines, in Dallas, Texas, to provide full US-based overhaul capability for the H Series by 2017, which also includes the new test cell at GE’s nearby facility at Carter Field. In December 2015, GE extended time between overhauls (TBO) for new production and in-service H Series turboprop engines to 4000 hours, a 10% improvement providing significant savings for agriculture, utility and business aviation operators.
Also in December, Thrush Aircraft, Inc., and GE Aviation Czech announced plans to develop a new Electronic Engine and Propeller Control (EEPC) system designed to reduce pilot workload with a single-lever control for both engine and propeller operation. The H80 with the EEPC system is expected to enter service in 2017.
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.