Bankstown-based CJ Aerospace has become the first approved installation facility for the Texas Turbine 900 Supervan conversion for Cessna Caravans in the South Pacific region. Justin Grey reports.
The Texas Turbine 900 Supervan conversion kit has been designed and manufactured by US company Texas Turbines Conversions, Inc. and is available for the entire Cessna 208 Caravan range as well as for single engine de Havilland Otters.
The conversion involves the removal of the complete firewall forward PT6A-114 engine installation and installing a Honeywell TPE 331-12JR engine (7000-hour TBO, approved for known icing) and a Hartzell 110” four-blade propeller.
With the nose landing gear the only equipment retained, the conversion includes new cowlings, engine mounts and all electrical warning harnesses and electrical boxes.
The conversion reduces take-off distance by 30 per cent, increases the maximum cruise speed by 20-30kts, and almost doubles the rate of climb at maximum take-off weight in standard conditions.
In mid-November CJ Aerospace completed the first Texas Turbine 900 supervan conversion in Australia on a Cessna 208A owned and operated by Sydney Skydivers. Within a week of its first post-conversion flight, the aircraft was flying up to 15 skydiving flights a day and is said to be performing admirably.
“It’s put a big smile on our faces,” CJ Aerospace Director Craig Jones said. “It’s absolutely no comparison to flying a standard 208 with the standard engine.
“The maximum cruise speed we saw on the first flight, with maximum power at flight level 140, was a TAS of 208 knots. At flight level 140 it’s still climbing at 1400 feet per minute; the performance improvements are very significant.”
The Texas Turbine 900 supervan conversion costs approximately US$550,000 exchange on a run-out engine, but a number of financial incentives are offered as standard to all customers. CJ Aerospace requires approximately eight weeks lead time to complete the conversion. For more information visit www.cjaerospace.com.au.