Mon, Jun 21, 2010
STC Approves FIKI, Ups Gross Weight, Extends Warranty
Aero Twin has received additional FAA approval for improvements
in its Honeywell TPE331-12JR-701AT/-703AT engine installation in
both the Cessna Caravan (Model 208) and the Grand Caravan and Super
Cargomaster (Model 208B) aircraft, the company announced this
week. The original FAA Supplemental Type Certificate No.
SA02291AK, was awarded to Aero Twin, Inc. by the FAA Anchorage
Aircraft Certification Office on July 24, 2007, which was the first
FAA certified Honeywell engine upgrade for the Caravans.
The recent improvements for the Honeywell engine conversion
include:
- Flight into Known Icing conditions (FIKI) is now approved for
gross weights up to 9062 lbs. for the 208B Grand Caravans and the
Super Cargomasters incorporating AeroAcoustics' APE III gross
weight increase, including aircraft with cargo pods.
- The 208 Caravan FIKI weight has been increased to 8360
lbs.
- Relocation of the batteries to the aft fuselage maintains the
aircraft's weight and balance within its empty CG limits.
- Only factory new engines are installed with a five (5) year /
2500 hour warranty.
- Twelve (12) month warranty on Aero Twin components.
The Honeywell engine provides 850 horsepower for the 208 Caravan
and 950 horsepower for the 208B Grand Caravan and Super
Cargomaster. This is an increase of power by 26% for the
Caravan and 41% for the Grand Caravan. A durable 4-blade
Hartzell propeller was selected to deliver the increased engine
power. Instant power response and automatic power limiting
allow operators to extract immediate and full power from the
engine, while reducing pilot workload. An automatic starting
system developed by Aero Twin, Inc. provides ease of operation.
"Alaskan operators have more than 3,000 flight hours on our
conversions," says Tony Cestnik, President of Aero Twin, Inc.
"These operators will be happy to attest to their cost savings and
increased performance, especially in the inclement weather
opportunities and the unimproved strips we have here in
Alaska. We have worked very hard and long in order to get our
design optimized. Now we have a finished product that is
ready for delivery."
International interest has been strong, specifically from
operators in high temperature and altitude conditions.
European operators will appreciate the significant reduction in
acoustic signature. Work is continuing with foreign
certification entities for their approvals.
Complete engine conversion kits are available from Aero Twin,
Inc. for $720,000 each. A bulk of that cost will be offset by
the sale of the OEM firewall forward assemblies. Aero Twin is
currently working to establish a worldwide series of approved
installation centers. Installation time is estimated at one month.
The STC is not currently eligible for TKS/G-1000 equipped
Caravans.
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