GE and Nextant Aerospace Announce Strategy to Bring New GE-Powered Aircraft to Market

LAS VEGAS, October 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• GE and Nextant to collaborate on a family of GE-powered aircraft
• The first product of this collaboration will be the Nextant G90XT turboprop which will feature the GE H80 engines and Garmin G1000 Integrated Flight Deck
• Nextant remanufacturing technology to breathe new life into the aging global King Air fleet

Nextant Aerospace ("Nextant"), maker of the Nextant 400XTi, the world's only remanufactured business jet, today announced a strategic collaboration with GE under which GE will supply new engines for a new range of remanufactured aircraft.

Launch project for this collaboration will be Nextant's first turboprop, the G90XT, based on the King Air C90 series and featuring GE H80 engines. As well as the King Air airframes, follow-on aircraft will include other aircraft platforms consistent with Nextant's long-term business development strategy. As with the 400XTi, the Nextant G90XT will feature superior aircraft performance for half the purchase price and revitalize an aging King Air fleet whose technology is outdated and whose residual values are declining.

The combination of new GE powerplants, Garmin Integrated Flight Deck and a completely rebuilt and upgraded airframe, cockpit and cabin make the new Nextant family of aircraft not just the most capable but also the most cost-efficient aircraft in their class.

"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 and General Aviation and Integrated Systems organizations at GE Aviation. "We look forward to further collaboration with Nextant on more opportunities that lie ahead."

"Nextant's collaboration with GE is an exciting milestone in the history of our company," said President of Nextant Aerospace Sean McGeough. "For our customers it means we can offer them an expanded range of products which all offer an exceptional combination of performance and economy. Nextant's significant purchase price advantage is now matched by equally dramatic savings in fuel and maintenance costs, thanks to the advanced engine technology built into GE's powerplants."

New Technology for New Challenges

The GE H80 marks a step up in performance and economy from previous turboprops in this class. Drawing on GE's deep experience in commercial and military engine design, manufacture and operations, it introduces significant improvements in aerodynamics and metallurgy so that the engine runs at higher temperatures and pressures than the competition. That translates into lower fuel burn and higher power output, even in hot and high conditions. Maintenance costs are lower, too, thanks to simplified design, advanced manufacturing techniques and a 3,600-hour TBO that requires no midpoint hot section inspection. A new integrated electronic engine control on the H80 engine enables single-lever power control, full auto-start capability and direct interface with the aircraft avionics system to further ease pilot workload. The new slower-turning gearbox drives a new generation of propellers designed specifically for Nextant to increase range and fuel efficiency while reducing cabin noise.

Fit for a "King"

The G90XT is expected to come to market in 2014 and will be the world's first remanufactured turboprop. The G90XT will benefit from an enhanced Garmin G1000 Integrated Flight Deck. Tailored for the G90XT, this version brings many jet-standard features to turboprop flying to deliver improved aircraft performance, low operating costs and a host of safety and maintenance benefits. A variety of Special Missions configurations will also be available, including air ambulance, freight, training, surveillance, and high-density seating. With over 1,500 King Air C90 series aircraft produced, Nextant will have no shortage of base airframes from which to choose.

Nextant Aerospace

Nextant Aerospace is recognized as the first company in the world to introduce aircraft remanufacturing to the business jet market. The Nextant 400XTi is a completely rebuilt Beechjet 400A/XP with Williams FJ44-3AP engines and the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21™ integrated avionics suite. The new aircraft also has major aerodynamic enhancements and an improved engine mounting configuration with redesigned nacelles and pylons. The 400XTi is delivered with a two-year full-aircraft warranty and after-sales support provided by a global network of owned and authorized service centers. Founded in 2007, Nextant is based in Cleveland, Ohio. Nextant is a Directional Aviation Capital company. For more information, visit http://www.nextantaerospace.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @nextantaero or join us on LinkedIn.

Nextant Media contacts

Elizabeth Ricci,
Customer Experience Manager
+1-216-797-8221
elizabeth@nextantaerospace.com

Richard Thomas    
Communications Director
+44-7904-950-841
media@nextantaerospace.com