The CT7-8 Is FAA Certified

The FAA has issued a Part 33 FAR type certificate for the CT7-8 turboshaft engine from GE Aircraft Engines and Italy's FiatAvio.

A pair of CT7-8s will be used on Sikorsky's 25,000-pound S-92 helicopter now undergoing flight testing at West Palm Beach. More than 300 hours of ground and 400 hours of flight testing has been completed.

The engine is rated at 2,520 shp at takeoff and has been certified with special 30-second and two-minute OEI (one engine inoperative) ratings, permitting Category A operation over a wide range of ambient conditions. It's got a Hamilton Sundstrand FADEC and, says GE, "a compressor with sufficient airflow to provide ample margin to meet future S-92 power requirements."

The T700/CT7 turboshaft family powers more than two dozen commercial and military helicopters worldwide.