When Textron Aviation unveiled its engine plans for its single-engine turboprop, the Denali, the chosen powerplant, the GE Catalyst engine, was still a work in progress. Its targeted much lower fuel burns coupled with a first for a turboprop—automatic digital power control—made a splash. After delays, the engine was finally FAA approved this year, but in the meantime, Pratt & Whitney has unveiled automatic power control, known as FADEC (full authority digital engine control) on a couple models of its ubiquitous PT-6 turboprop engine. And Daher announced that it was, indeed, using just such an engine on its brand-new Daher TBM 960, which was unveiled at Sun ’n Fun in April.
FADEC for Turboprops
Key Takeaways:
- Textron Aviation's Denali aircraft will use the GE Catalyst engine, which recently received FAA approval after delays, notable for its digital power control and lower fuel burn.
- While the GE Catalyst faced delays, Pratt & Whitney introduced its own FADEC (full authority digital engine control) for some of its PT-6 turboprop models.
- Daher's new TBM 960 aircraft is utilizing a Pratt & Whitney PT-6 engine equipped with this new FADEC technology.
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