GE H80 Engine
GE H80 Engine

Nextant Selects GE’s H80 Engine to Power Its G90XT Aircraft – Oct 23, 2013– Las Vegas, USA (Techreleased) – Nextant Aerospace has selected GE’s improved H80 engine to power its first G90XT turboprop aircraft, built upon enhancing and remanufacturing the King Air C90 aircraft. In addition to the G90XT, Nextant and GE signed a collaborative agreement to work on future product studies in which GE will be the preferred engine supplier.

GE H80 Engine
GE H80 Engine

“Nextant’s agreement with GE is an exciting milestone for our business. For our customers, it means we can offer them an expanded range of products, which offer an exceptional combination of performance and economy. Nextant’s purchase price advantage is now matched by the significant savings in fuel and maintenance costs, thanks to the advanced technology built into GE’s powerplants,” said Sean McGeough, president of Nextant Aerospace.

“The H80 engine for Nextant’s G90XT aircraft will incorporate several new features that bring additional value to customers,” said Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager of the Business & General Aviation and Integrated Systems organization at GE Aviation. “We look forward to further collaboration with Nextant on more opportunities that lie ahead.”

The enhanced H80 engine for the G90XT will include an integrated electronic engine control for single-lever power control, full auto-start capability and direct interface with the aircraft avionics system to further ease pilot work load. The engine will also incorporate a new slower-turning propeller gearbox for reduced cabin and community noise. Other key features of the H80 engine are GE’s 3-D aerodynamic design techniques and advanced materials that create a powerful, fuel-efficient, durable engine with no recurrent fuel nozzle inspections and no hot section inspection. The engine has a service life of 3,600 flight-hours or 6,600 cycles between overhauls. The H80 engine family also offers a standard auto start and limiting unit to simplify engine start-up as well as a choice of propeller governors to allow customers flexibility in propeller selection.

Beyond business aviation, the G90XT aircraft will be available in Special Mission configurations for air ambulance, freight, training, surveillance and high-density seating. With more than 7,000 King Air aircraft produced, Nextant will have a large pool of airframes from which to choose.