EBACE Show News - May 20, 2008 - (Page 67) EBACE 2008 GE Aviation May Challenge PT6 with Walter Walter’s expertise in emerging GE Aviation’s acquisition of markets such as Russia, Asia and Walter, the Czech aero Eastern Europe. engine manufacturer of the The M601 began life more than M601F turboprop, is part of a quarter of a century ago as an its aggressive strategy to The M601F turboprop. Iron Curtain copy of the PT6, and grow its business and general aviation activities by double digits a year for has competed against that engine (albeit at much cheaper price levels) ever since. The M601F is now the foreseeable future. It already has plans to develop Walter’s 750 shp- finding favor in many applications around the class engine into a multi-generational product line, world, from the Czech Let 410 twin-engined transwith more powerful versions and retrofits for older port to cropdusters, and is particularly popular in the U.S. experimental aircraft category for fast permodels using GE’s materials and technology. And as it helps market the engine more broadly sonal sport aircraft and utility haulers such as the it will go head-to-head with Pratt & Whitney Comp Air. It has also found a place retrofitting Canada’s PT6, especially on aircraft such as the such aircraft as King Airs, Bonanzas and Barons. Ironically, GE looked at acquiring Walter some King Air 90, Malibu and Lancair. “The merger makes a lot of sense as none of our 17 years ago when it was locked in a fierce battle products overlap,” Walter Engines chairman with P&WC to power the Let 610 aircraft—a batMichael Cerny told Show News. “This is a tremen- tle GE finally won without having to buy the Czech dous opportunity for us, taking into account company. Now, with a full turn of the circle, GE GE’s financial capabilities, technologies and sup- has in essence acquired its own PT6, giving GE-Walter, or whatever the company will be ply chain expertise.” GE will gain a foothold in small turboprops, and called, the clout and credibility to approach OEMs in a way that Walter was unable to do before. Cerny would not disclose future plans until after the deal is closed next month. That could be a two-edged sword, however, as with a current list price of $200,000 the M601 shows a significant advantage in life cycle costs over its PT6 competitor, despite a lower TBO of 2-3,000 hours vs 3,600 hours. “We must be careful to keep competitive in price” and not improve the engine—and its price—to the point where its competitive advantage is lost, he said. Some 1,500 M601s are in service, with about 100 flying in the U.S. Walter produced around 200 new, remanufactured and overhauled engines last year, and Cerny expects production to be 15-20% higher this year. There are 16 variants of the M601, all with EASA certification and six with FAA approval, he said. The company employs 400 people in Prague, and another 70 in its Prague Casting Services business that specializes in air and vacuum investment casting. Walter also makes parts for customers such as Rolls-Royce, Snecma and ITP. —John Morris VIP CRJ CONVERSIONS DO YOU WANT GREATER RANGE, OR MORE CABIN SPACE? AT MJET, WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULD HAVE BOTH. “I want more cabin space” Stéphane Durand President Stéphane Durand and Taif Rahman, founders and owners of MJET and its parent company Elisen Technologies, believed that a CRJ should not be just for airline use or be limited by short range – so they did something about it. Only with MJET will your VIP converted CRJ100/200 be equipped with the Elisen Elite AFS 500 auxiliary fuel system which provides more range while offering more usable cabin space than other auxiliary fuel systems on the market. New long range destinations are now possible. And it doesn’t stop there; the Elisen Elite AFS 500 uses space and weight wisely so you can have a larger galley or other VIP amenities including a dual forward and aft lavatory. “I want more range” Taif Rahman Executive Vice-President and Chief Engineer We are specialists in the conversion of CRJ aircraft to VIP and corporate shuttle applications. At our 80,000 sq. ft facility in Montréal, our team of completions and engineering specialists has been performing business aircraft completions and CRJ conversions for years. Our in-house engineers and skilled craftsmen will ensure that your converted CRJ not only flies the distance of a business jet, but offers the same comfort too. For more information, contact Stéphane Durand, President, at +1-514-631-5552 or +49 1606 281 701 Please visit us at booth 1435 www.mjet.aero http://www.mjet.aero http://www.mjet.aero
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