GE H80 with EEPC has been selected for the new Light Multifunctional Aircraft 901
Zhukovsky, Russia – Following the first-time display at MAKS Air Show in Moscow and looking at the second engine delivery in support of the certification program, the Russian aircraft manufacturer Baikal-Engineering chose GE Aviation’s H80 engine with Electronic Engine and Propeller Control (EEPC) to power its brand-new single engine multi-purpose utility aircraft.
The H80 turboprop engine, built and developed by GE Aviation at its turboprop business headquarters in the Czech Republic, has been selected because of its robust design requiring minimal maintenance and demonstrating outstanding reliability. The LMS-901 is a 9-seater airplane conceived for civil uses, including passenger transfer, cargo, and skydiving.
“We are extremely proud to power the LMS-901,” says Milan Slapak, CEO and General Manager of GE Aviation Czech. “H-Series engines are optimized for utility missions and can benefit from an advanced EEPC to assist piloting. These engines thrive in rugged conditions that require mission readiness, short takeoffs, weight variability, and safe operation: our H-Series are renowned for their reliability and are operating in the hottest deserts, over the highest peaks and across the most remote archipelagos.”
“Our customers at Baikal were looking for resilient powerplants able to deal with the highest or lowest temperature, capable to land in remote area as well as to take off from unpaved and short runways. Thus, H80 is their engine of choice. The first prototype engine has been already delivered earlier this year, while a second one will be before year end” adds Ilia Zhukov, Head of Sales for Russia and CIS for GE Aviation Czech.
“It is no coincidence that GE engines are trusted in Russia. Such trust is based on practical experience and high reliability demonstrated by more than 100 H80 operating in various Russian climate conditions, including extreme ones. That is why we highly appreciate this cooperation and hope that it will continue to develop successfully” said Oleg Bogomolov, Sales and Marketing Director of JSC – Ural Works of Civil Aviation, Baikal Engineering’s parent company.
The LMS-901 aircraft’s range can reach 3000 km and 1500 km with 2000 kg payload, bearing a 4800 kg max take-off weight, while its average cruise speed is 300 km/h. The aircraft entry into service is expected in 2023. The new project was announced at the end of 2019, and in 2021, the first test vehicles were displayed at MAKS Air Show and coupled with the H80 engine. The LMS-901 first flight is scheduled for this year end, and Baikal plans to build at least 150 units until 2030, while the market capacity by 2030 could arrive to 300 units.
H-series engines are highly efficient and created to withstand drastic and challenging natural flight conditions thanks to their robust design. H-series engines have collected more than 560,000 flight hours with a global fleet operating in five continents and available in a power class ranging from 750 to 850 shp since entering service in 2012.
