OSHKOSH, WI – July 30, 2013 –China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd. (CAIGA) signed an agreement with GE Aviation to become the first Authorized Service Center for the H80 turboprop engine family in China. With this agreement, CAIGA Customer Service Center can perform line maintenance inspections and routine engine maintenance, including removal and replacement of H75, H80 and H85 engines and engine components.
“CAIGA is honored to cooperate with GE Aviation and set up the first H80 family Authorized Service Center in China,” said Mr. Sha Chang’an, Vice President of CAIGA. “The H80 turboprop engine family is gaining interest in China, and we will ensure operators receive outstanding service and support.”
“This agreement with CAIGA helps expand GE Aviation’s turboprop service and support network into China, which is a growing region for business and general aviation,” said Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager of Business & General Aviation at GE Aviation. “CAIGA’s expertise and commitment to customer service will ensure GE General Aviation turboprop operators in China have access to high quality service and support for their turboprop engine.”
Last year, CAIGA selected GE’s H85 turboprop engine to power CAIGA’s five-seat, light single-engine pressurized turboprop business aircraft with a carbon fiber composite airframe. It is one of the fastest pressurized single-engine turboprop aircraft in its class.
The H85 engine is a derivative of GE’s H80 engine, which currently powers the Thrush 510G and Aircraft Industries L410 aircraft. The H80 turboprop engine family incorporates GE's 3-D aerodynamic design techniques and advanced materials to create a powerful, fuel-efficient, durable engine with no recurrent fuel nozzle inspections and no hot section inspection. The H80 engine features a service life of 3,600 flight-hours or 6,600 cycles between overhauls. The H80 engine also offers a standard auto start and limiting unit to simplify engine start-up as well as a choice of propeller governors to allow customers flexibility in propeller selection.
The H85 engine is rated at 850 shaft horsepower (shp) for takeoff and maximum continuous operation. The engine is aimed at the business turboprop, agricultural, commuter and utility aircraft segments. The H85 engine received its EASA engine type certification last year with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration expected next year.
CAIGA is a subsidiary company of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). CAIGA acquired US-based Cirrus and possesses a world-class general aircraft industry supply chain, with five major industry bases in Zhuhai, Guizhou, Shijiazhuang, Jingmen and Shenzhen. The company is developing a comprehensive general and business aviation capability, including R&D and manufacturing, general aviation operation, customer support and service. Its business spectrum covers parts & components manufacturing, final assembly and delivery, pilot training, aviation club, general aviation operation, business aviation, FBO (Fixed Base Operator), maintenance, leasing and various sectors.
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. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation. Learn more about GE Business & General Aviation at http://facebook.com/GEBGA. Follow GE Aviation on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GEAviation and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/GEAviation. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/gebga.
