Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

In this year’s AIN Product Support Survey, readers picked a new top-place turbofan finisher, Williams International, with an overall average rating of 8.4 (out of a possible 10). Williams’s rating, up 0.3 from its 2017 results, moved it up from last year’s third-place to first place this year. In the ratings categories, Williams received high scores for technical manuals (8.6) and cost-per-hour programs (8.1) for its FJ44 engines.

 


Rolls-Royce saw a 0.1 increase in its overall rating this year, to 8.3, putting it in second place, the same as in 2017. Top ratings included the highest overall average for a turbofan, an 8.5 for the AE3007. That engine also received high ratings for authorized service centers (8.7), parts availability (8.8), warranty fulfillment (9.1), and overall engine reliability (9.3).

 


GE moved into third place this year, down from last year’s first place, with a slight drop in overall average to 8.2. GE scored a high rating for cost-per-hour programs for its CF34 engine (8.1).

 


Also in third place this year at 8.2 is Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada, up 0.2 from last year’s fourth place. P&amp;WC engines saw top ratings for overall engine reliability (PW500, 9.3) and AOG response and technical reps (PW600, 8.9).

 


Honeywell is moving up in the rankings, having scored 8.0 this year, up 0.2 from last year, and a fourth-place ranking for turbofan manufacturers, up from fifth last year.

 


In the turboprop/turboshaft segment, Honeywell retained its first-place ranking with an 8.7 overall average, up 0.1 from last year’s first-place finish. Honeywell’s TPE331 received top scores in a number of categories, including factory service centers (9.1), authorized service centers (9.1), parts availability (8.7), cost of parts (7.2), AOG response (8.8), warranty fulfillment (8.9), technical manuals (9.1), technical reps (9.3), and the highest ranking for overall engine reliability (9.7).

 


P&amp;WC sustained its second-place ranking with the same score as last year, 7.7.

 


Safran Helicopter Engines came in third with an overall average of 7.4, up 0.4 from last year. The company received the highest score (7.6) for cost-per-hour programs for turboprop/turboshaft manufacturers.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Product Support Survey 2018, Part 3: Engines

Readers rate the support the engine makers have provided over the last 12 months.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

One engine would be able to run at low-idle in a twin-engine helicopter application

FAA Proposes Special Conditions for PW220A Idle Cruise

Charles Alcock

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Improved engine production and test facilities are mainly focused on military programs

Rolls-Royce Completes $1 Billion Engine Site Upgrade

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

The first hybrid-electric flights above 30,000 feet, as well as the first across the North Atlantic, GE says.

GE Aerospace and Beta Technologies Cross Atlantic in Hybrid-electric Saab 340B Commuter Aircraft

Australian start-up planned to convert Beechcraft Bonanza and 1900D aircraft

Lack of Funding Shuts Hydrogen Propulsion Pioneer Stralis

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Turboshaft has flown more than 600 hours after first flight in March 2023

EASA Issues Type Certificate for AW09 Arriel 2K Engine

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Engines

FAA Proposes Special Conditions for PW220A Idle Cruise

One engine would be able to run at low-idle in a twin-engine helicopter application

Rolls-Royce Completes $1 Billion Engine Site Upgrade

Improved engine production and test facilities are mainly focused on military programs

GE Aerospace and Beta Technologies Cross Atlantic in Hybrid-electric Saab 340B Commuter Aircraft

The first hybrid-electric flights above 30,000 feet, as well as the first across the North Atlantic, GE says.

Lack of Funding Shuts Hydrogen Propulsion Pioneer Stralis

Australian start-up planned to convert Beechcraft Bonanza and 1900D aircraft

EASA Issues Type Certificate for AW09 Arriel 2K Engine

Turboshaft has flown more than 600 hours after first flight in March 2023

FAA’s Rocheleau Admits Unleaded Avgas Timeline May Slip

Deadline of Dec. 31, 2030 may have to be moved if a suitable fuel isn't available

Sikorsky and Safran Pledge Increased Collaboration

Proposal promises accelerated engine innovation

Canada Could Keep Gripen Engine Work at Home

GE and Magellan sign F414 support agreement

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