Animation of a turboprop (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Sokol JSC, a leading service provider known throughout the Russian Federation, has signed an agreement with GE Aviation to become an Authorized Service Center (ASC) for GE’s M601 and H80 turboprop engines.
Under this agreement, Sokol JSC will provide local service support for the M601 series and the new GE H80 turboprop. Sokol JSC’s maintenance services will include all aspects of line maintenance as well as on-wing heavy repair, troubleshooting, TBO extension inspections, and Sokol will maintain a stock of spare parts.
“GE is very excited to have secured this agreement with Sokol JSC and is confident that Sokol will further increase our support in Russia and the CIS region,” said Paul Theofan, president and managing executive of GE Aviation’s Business and General Aviation Turboprops. “With this significant expansion to our authorized service network, M601 and H80 customers will enjoy enhanced service and support from one of Russia’s most renowned and government-approved repair stations. We are looking forward to our new service network member providing the additional heavy maintenance service to the Russian market.”
GE’s M601 turboprop engine has a large installed base in Russia, with Aircraft Industries’ successful L410 aircraft as well as the Gzhel and the Finist. This base is expected to continue to grow, with Aircraft Industries developing a H80-powered L410 and Technoavia working a H80-powered Rysachock. With Sokol JSC becoming an ASC, GE will better support existing and new engine customers in the region.
Established in 1932 in Nizhny-Novgorod, Russia, Sokol JSC has a long history of experience in the design, manufacture, modernization and maintenance of aircraft and has produced 43,000 aircraft. In addition, the Nizhny-Novgorod base handles multiple civilian aircraft, such as the M-101T – executive turboprop, the “Volga-2″ ground effect aircraft, the “Dingo,” which is a small multifunctional aircraft with an air cushion landing system, as well as the “Accord-201,” a light multi-purpose amphibian aircraft. It is this segment of its activities that Sokol JSC has chosen to take to a new level as a GE Authorized Service Center.
GE’s H80 engine has received engine certification and will power business and general aviation, utility and agriculture aircraft. The H80 engine combines the elegant, robust design of the M601 engine with GE’s 3-D aerodynamic design techniques and advanced materials to create a more powerful, fuel-efficient, durable engine compared with the M601 engine, with no recurrent fuel nozzle inspections and no hot section inspection. The H80 engine will also feature an extended service life of 3,600 flight-hours between overhauls, significantly enhanced hot-day takeoff performance and high-altitude cruise speeds. The H80 will provide the option of a single- or dual-acting governor, allowing customers the flexibility in propeller selection.
