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On the Record With
RUSSELL D. 'RUSS' TURNER, PRESIDENT, HONEYWELL ENGINES, SYSTEMS & SERVICES
Honeywell is planning to replace its popular TFE731 turbofan in the next few years, and should have a technology demonstrator running in the next 24 months, according to Russ Turner, president of Honeywell Engines, Systems and Services.
"The intent is to culminate in a complete engine and announce a launch customer. But first we will go through the process of demonstrating the technologies," he told ShowNews. Engineers are currently exploring to start with a clean sheet of paper or to use the HTF 7000, which has just entered service on the Bombardier Challenger 300, as a base.
The plan is a cornerstone of Turner's strategy to reduce cost of ownership and ease the use of Honeywell's products in service through technology enhancements that offer simpler operation (as with its N1 DEEC digital electronic engine control upgrades), increased reliability and longer life.
"This investment in technologies is part of a comprehensive program to take care of the installed base, the next customer and the future customer," Turner explained. For the installed base Honeywell now offers upgrade kits for every single model of the 9,000 TFE731s in service, he noted.
The HTF 7000 was a giant step forward for Honeywell, which designed the engine for efficiency and economy, as well as simplicity and reliability. It then embarked on an extended test program to break whatever it could on its test engines and redesigned the failed parts. The result has been a trouble-free entry into service with the 14 Challenger 300s delivered to date notching up 7,000 flight hours. "We really prepared for entry into service with 11 service centers on line, eight flight line centers, 500 repairs written and in place, and a fleet of spare engines. We were very proactive. I am pleased to say that so far, knock on wood, we haven't had to call on much of that or use any of the spare engines."
Honeywell is actively pursuing new applications for the HTF 7000. "We have a couple of opportunities that could develop but no one is ready to announce anything yet," Turner said. "Everyone has been watching this entry into service and the engine has gotten them all excited as it has met all its performance objectives."
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