Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

GE Aerospace on Thursday announced that its Catalyst turboprop engine has received FAA certification, the culmination of a program involving more than 23 engines and some 190 component tests. The company said Catalyst is the first clean-sheet advanced turboprop of the 21st century, as well as the first to be certified to the latest Part 33 standards, which include more than 20 significant new requirements. Textron Aviation’s Beechcraft Denali turboprop single, which is expected to enter service this year, is the launch platform for the new GE engine.
“Certification of the Catalyst engine is a significant milestone for our company and a proud moment for all our team members who have dedicated their efforts to the design, development, and testing of this brand-new European turboprop engine,” said Riccardo Procacci, president and CEO for propulsion and additive technologies at GE Aerospace. “We are now fully committed to supporting the production ramp-up of the engine towards the entry into service in support of our customers.”
The engine was designed, developed, and manufactured at GE Aerospace sites in Europe, including Avio Aero in Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany. Test engines logged more than 8,000 hours during the certification process, GE said.
“Catalyst has been through a rigorous certification and testing process,” said Paul Corkery, Catalyst general manager at Avio Aero. “We are pleased with the performance of the engine throughout its ground and flight-test campaigns, and we remain fully focused on supporting Textron Aviation as they complete the certification process and prepare for entry into service of the Beechcraft Denali.”
According to GE, the engine’s 16:1 overall pressure ratio enables up to 18% better fuel consumption and up to 10% higher cruise power versus competing engines in the same 1,200- to 1,400-shp class. Catalyst also features stator vane and turbine blade components made via additive manufacturing.

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GE Catalyst Turboprop Engine Gets FAA Nod

Powerplant is 18% more fuel efficient than others in the 1,200- to 1,400-shp class

GE Aerospace’s Catalyst turboprop received FAA certification, the culmination of a program involving more than 23 engines and some 190 component tests.

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In this article

Beechcraft Denali

Textron Aviation

GE Aerospace

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