Story ID: 4013013mx
Smyrna Delivers First GE H80-powered King Air
By: David A. Lombardo
Caption: 
Word Count: 193
Smyrna Air Center, of Rutherford County Airport in Smyrna, Tenn., has delivered the world’s first King Air C90 powered by General Electric’s new H80 800-shp engines. The 1974 King Air C90 (LJ-627) was fitted with two new engines, two new Avia V510 five-blade quiet propellers, dual Garmin G600 MFD/PFD/AHRS, ADS-B compliant Garmin GTX-330ES mode-S transponder, Garmin GWX-70 color radar, Garmin 530W GPS and a GDL-69 satellite weather downlink. Already installed were Raisbeck wing lockers and Raisbeck dual aft body strakes.

Smyrna Air Center completed a Phase one through four inspection series.

The MRO works on customers’ aircraft and also buys aircraft for conversion and subsequent sale.

“What makes this different with the GE engines is cost of ownership. For example, GE engines have a computer start, eliminating the possibility of a hot start,” Blake Tumbleson, director of sales and marketing, told AIN. “With GE engines you essentially go from a brand-new engine to TBO because the GE H80 requires no fuel nozzle cleanings due to its unique slinger ring design, no hot section inspections, and 3,600 flight hours and 6,600 cycles between overhauls.”