Allison Flies Solo Into The New Commuter Aircraft Market

The Saab 2000 should escape some of the normal problems associated with initial deliveries of new aircraft - at least some of the problems resulting from the propulsion system. This is the first turboprop aircraft on which a single vendor - Allison Gas Turbine Division of General Motors - has taken total responsibility for the complete propulsion system, even including the nacelles. It also will be the first time the engine, accessories, propeller and nacelle will be tested as a system on a test stand before delivery to the airframer.

Saab is the launch customer for the Allison GMA 2100 engine. The engine also will power the IPTN-250, a passenger turboprop being developed in Indonesia - Allison will supply only the engine. The GMA 2100 is a derivative design based on the T406 engine which powers the V22 Osprey tilt-rotor military aircraft. The V22 program has accumulated about 8,000 test and flight hours on the T406 core. For the regional aircraft market, the GMA 2100 uses the T406 core with only external changes.

Consequently, the GMA is relatively heavy at 975 pounds - as critics are quick to point out. "We could make the engine lighter, but operators would pay a penalty in increased maintenance and reduced reliability," according to Allen S. Novick, director of large aircraft commercial engines at Allison Gas Turbine. "Besides, no one has asked and the engine has won both competitions in which it has competed."

Novick...