June 6, 2011 – Smyrna, Tenn. – Smyrna Air Center has completed its first Power 90 Upgrade conversion for AeroMetric, one of the largest and most experienced full service geospatial solutions companies in the United States. GE Aviation’s M601E-11A engines are now powering AeroMetric’s King Air E-90 aircraft for their site in Anchorage, Alaska.
The Power 90 Upgrade Program is a conversion program for owners of King Air 90 aircraft, in which the installed engines are replaced with the powerful 705 shaft-horsepower (shp) GE M601E-11A engines.
“Smyrna Air Center, along with GE Aviation, is dedicated to providing exceptional service to King Air owners and operators, and we were honored that AeroMetric chose the Power 90 conversion with GE M601-11A engines versus overhauling their current engines,” said Bob Fields, president of Smyrna Air Center. “We’ve received feedback from AeroMetric’s pilot that GE M601 engine operating temperatures are lower than previous engines and that time to climb is 30% less, which is critical for them since the plane must reach altitude before aerial mapping can begin.”
“In addition to the faster rates of climb, the M601E-11A engine also provides faster cruise speeds than current engines in the segment, according to a July 2010 study by Conklin & de Decker performed for GE,” said Tom Hoferer, Commercial Program Manager, GE Aviation’s Business and General Aviation Turboprops.
GE Aviation's Business & General Aviation Turboprops has more than 1,600 M601 engines in service that have accumulated a combined 17 million flight hours.
About AeroMetric. For eight decades, AeroMetric has provided quality geospatial solutions including digital elevation models, high accuracy mapping, land survey & design, satellite imagery and topographic maps. AeroMetric's clients include many of the top North American engineering and industrial firms, and federal, state and local government agencies. AeroMetric has five office locations in the United States.
About Smyrna Air Center. Smyrna Air Center is Middle Tennessee’s one-stop aviation support center located in Smyrna, TN, near Nashville. Smyrna Air Center is a state-of-the art facility which houses a Full-Service FBO and a 145 Repair Station offering Maintenance and Avionics. For more information and additional services, visit www.SmyrnaAirCenter.com
