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Honeywell's TPE331 Celebrates its Golden Anniversary
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: In service for half a century now, the turboprop engine's makers are looking ahead to its centennial.
Word Count: 183
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Honeywell TPE331 turboprop engine, and since its type certification in 1965 (originally by Garrett AiResearch), the engine series has grown to include 18 models and more than 100 configurations. According to the manufacturer, which has one of the powerplants on display last week at EAA AirVenture 2016 at the Texas Turbine booth, it has delivered more than 13,500 of the engines, which have logged more than 122 million flight hours over the past half-century.

The TPE331, which generates more than 1,000 shp in its latest iteration, is known for its fuel efficiency and its short takeoff ability, the result of its simple single-shaft design and quick throttle response. It has powered a wide variety of aircraft, including the King Air B100, Mitsubishi MU-2 and Swearingen Merlin. Since 2010, AIN’s readers have awarded it the highest overall average score in the annual engine product support survey.

Looking ahead, Honeywell noted it “continues to work with airplane manufacturers across the aerospace industry to ensure the TPE331 will meet the needs of the aviation community for the next 50 years.”