Engines
GE Catalyst Turbine Prepping for Year-end Approval
Certification testing is set to be complete in the third quarter
GE Catalyst engine
GE brought a Catalyst engine to display at its EAA AirVenture Oshkosh exhibit. © Matt Thurber/AIN

GE Aerospace’s Catalyst turboprop engine is meeting and exceeding its targeted performance numbers and is on track for FAA certification by year-end, the company said this week at EAA AirVenture 2024. The engine powers Textron Aviation’s Beechcraft Denali single-engine turboprop, which is set for certification next year. Both are on display at AirVenture, although this is the first time the GE display is hosting the actual engine instead of a mockup.

Engines in the flight-test program have logged more than 2,100 hours and 900 flights, which “gives a lot of confidence in the performance,” noted Paul Corkery, head of GE's Catalyst program. Compared to other 1,300-shp powerplants, he said the GE engine burns 18% less fuel while producing 10% more power at altitude.