GE Catalyst engine certified

The company said the certification process covered more than 8,000 hours of operation for the new engine that GE said was the first turboprop to be certified to the latest standards, which include more than 20 new requirements.

“The certification of the Catalyst engine is a significant milestone for our company and a proud moment for all our team members who have dedicated their efforts to the design, development, and testing of this brand-new European turboprop engine,” said Riccardo Procacci, president and CEO of propulsion and additive technologies at GE Aerospace. “We are now fully committed to supporting the production ramp-up of the engine towards the entry into service in support of our customers.”

Compared with competitors’ engines in the same class, the Catalyst improves fuel consumption by as much as 18 percent and boosts cruise power by up to 10 percent, GE said. Among the engine’s notable features are its two stages of variable stator vanes; cooled high-pressure turbine blades; and parts made by additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. The Catalyst is part of GE Aerospace’s family of next-generation engines designed and built at GE operations in Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.

“Catalyst has been through a rigorous certification and testing process,” said Paul Corkery, Catalyst general manager at Avio Aero. “We are pleased with the performance of the engine throughout its ground and flight test campaigns, and we remain fully focused on supporting Textron Aviation as they complete the certification process and prepare for entry into service of the Beechcraft Denali.”