GE Aerospace announced last week that the US Federal Aviation Administration had certified the Catalyst turbo-prop engine.
Catalyst is a new centerline, clean-sheet turbo-prop certified to the latest FAR Part 33 standards, which the FAA approved after a testing program that involved 8000 hours of tests, 23 engines and 190 components.
FAA certification clears the way for the entry into service of Textron's new SETP, the Beechcraft Denali, which will be the first model fitted with Catalyst engines
Riccardo Procacci, President and CEO, Propulsion and Additive Technologies at GE Aerospace said, “The 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.
"We are now fully committed to supporting the production ramp-up of the engine towards the entry into service in support of our customers.”
GA Aerospace believes the Catalyst will bring a radical change to turbo-prop engine market, pointing at a 16:1 overall pressure ratio that enables up to 18% better fuel consumption and up to 10% higher cruise power, compared to competitors in the same engine class.
Catalyst introduces two stages of variable stator vanes, cooled high-pressure turbine blades, and features components made by using additive manufacturing.
Textron aligned the Beechcraft Denali certification timing to the certification timeline for the Catalyst engine, which means the first examples are due to be delivered to customers in 2025, after the FAA certifies the aeroplane.