STCs Expected To Be In Place Later This Year

Aircraft Structures International Corp. (ASIC) has announced plans to install the Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PT6A-140 turboprop engine (867 HP) into the Cessna Grand Caravan and the original Caravan, with STCs in place by the end of 2014. The modified Caravan will be called the ULtimate Caravan referring to the blend of power and performance.

The new STC’s will provide Caravan owners similar performance to the Cessna Grand Caravan EX in their existing airframes. ASIC makes available the PT6A-140 engine in the ULtimate Caravan to existing operators letting them enjoy the advanced technology P&WC has built upon with an unmatched legacy of performance, durability, reliability and superior value. This will offer Caravan owners a performance appropriate engine that is matched to the Caravan missions while retaining the single side exhaust.

ASIC plans to be flying the ULtimate Grand Caravan before the end of the second quarter this year followed closely behind by the ULtimate Caravan and completion of the FAA STC’s for both models of the ULtimate before the end of the year. EASA certification will follow along with individual countries depending on demand.

After the first flight ASIC will start taking refundable deposits and reserving delivery dates. Customers can take credit for hours remaining to engine basic time between overhaul (TBO) on their eligible PT6A-114/114A core engines, allowing the conversion to be accomplished prior to TBO while maintaining core engine value.
 
Mickey Stowers, President of ASIC said “We have dedicated ourselves to the service and repair of Caravans for over two decades and this is another way we can continue to serve our customers with modernizing their Caravans when buying new is not an option.” He went on to say ASIC has plans for additional improvements to the Caravan that will help owners lower the cost of operation and improve performance, these additional improvements will be announced at a later date.

(Image provided by Pratt & Whitney)

FMI: www.asic.aero