GE is expanding its presence in the business and general aviation industry in China.

Currently, GE Aviation has about 30 CF34-powered Bombardier Challenger operating in the Greater China region, and the business is looking to expand with its new engine offerings - the Passport and H80 engine lines.

"The business and general aviation is an area of growth for GE Aviation," said Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager of GE Aviation's Business & General Aviation organization. "GE recently certified the H80 engine for general aviation and it will enter service soon on the Thrush 510G agriculture aircraft. We are developing a new engine, called Passport, that will power Bombardier's Global 7000/8000 aircraft. These engines lines will help GE grow its presence in China's business and general aviation industry."

GE received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification on its new H80 turboprop engine. The H80 engine combines the elegant, robust design of the M601 engine with GE's 3-D aerodynamics and advanced materials to create a more powerful, fuel-efficient, durable engine. This 800-shaft horsepower engine increases hot day takeoff and improves high-altitude cruise capability. Flight testing is underway on the Aircraft Industries twin-engine commuter L410-UVP-E20 that will enter service later this year, and the engine has also been selected to power Technoavia's new twin-engine, 10-seat Rysachok aircraft.

In 2010, GE Aviation's PassportTM engine (17,000 lbs thrust class) was selected to power Bombardier's new Global 7000 and 8000 aircraft. The GE Passport will set a new standard for performance for ultra-long range business aircraft. Developed as an integrated propulsion system, the Passport is designed to meet the requirements of the business aviation operator with lower cabin noise, reduced emissions and fuel consumption, delivering enhanced performance, reliability and efficiency.

The Passport engine will incorporate several advanced technologies, including a composite fan case and unique front fan blisk, a high pressure ratio compressor, low emission combustor and high-pressure turbine with advanced material and cooling design for enhanced durability and performance. The integrated propulsion system will feature a slim-line nacelle with outward opening lower cowl to reduce weight and drag while allowing for easy maintenance access and high dispatch availability. Rig testing on the Passport technologies continue in an effort to mature new technologies leading up to the first Passport engine to test next year.

GE Honda Aero, a joint venture between GE and Honda, is developing the HF120 engine (2000 lbs. thrust class) for the HondaJet. The HF120 engine builds upon the expertise of its parent companies. High-flow, wide-chord fan blades, high temperature materials and advanced features will provide performance advantages, such as a high thrust-to-weight ratio and reduced fuel burn. The HF120 engine will use an advanced combustor design to reduce NOx, CO, hydrocarbons and smoke emissions. It will also achieve noise levels quieter than Stage 4 requirements with substantial margin.

GE Aviation has a customer and product support team to work with its growing base of Business & General Aviation operators. In Shanghai, GE has a 24/7 Aviation Operations Center to assist customers anytime. GE also has long-term service agreements that can be customized to individual owners to keep their engines in top condition. More details are available at GE's dedicated Business & General Aviation website http://geaviation.com/bga.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE, is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.

Contributed by GE Aviation