IKHANA Aircraft Services selected GE Aviation’s H Series turboprop engines to re-engine Twin Otter DHC-6-100/-200/-300 aircraft.
IKHANA is a specialist in structural upgrades, re-life, systems modifications, and increases to the max takeoff gross weight of the Twin Otter. The H Series turboprop engines will extend the performance and capabilities of the Twin Otter beyond what is currently available to operators around the world.
The de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL(Short Takeoff and Landing) utility aircraft developed by DHC and currently produced by Viking Air.
The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC aircraft.
As new H Series applications enter service, production rates continue to climb, with upwards of 100 engines expected to be delivered in 2015. Since the engine family entered service in 2012, GE has produced more than 200 H Series engines for aircraft flying diverse missions, from Aircraft Industries’ L410 commuter plane to the Thrush 510G agricultural aircraft.
Earlier this year, GE’s H Series powered the first flight of Nextant’s G90XT. In 2014, the H85 engine powered the first flight of China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd.’s (CAIGA) AG300 business turboprop.
In May 2014, the H75 powered AIR-TEC’s L 410 STC upgrade, replacing GE’s M601 engines currently powering AIR-TEC’s L 410 fleet. AIR-TEC’s H75 LET410s entered service earlier in 2015.
The H80-powered Technoavia Rysachok aircraft – a twin-engine, 10-seat general aviation aircraft – took flight on March 27, 2014, in Russia.
The H Series received a multitude of certifications from aviation authorities after entering service: EASA, FAA, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Uruguay, Russia and South Africa. GE plans to pursue additional certifications to support its growing fleet.
In 2014, GE Aviation submitted an application to EASA to utilize S10 diesel fuel for its H Series turboprops and flight test trials are underway in Brazil. Certification of S10 diesel will help Brazilian H Series operators lower fuel costs by up to 25%.
The average H Series engine consumes 648,000 liters of fuel before its first scheduled overhaul at 3,600 flight hours. By utilizing S10 diesel, operators could save more than $225,000 (USD) on fuel costs between overhauls.
