Honeywell’s TPE331-12 turboprop engine has successfully powered a converted Cessna Caravan C208 aircraft in separate flights configured with floats and wheels.

Certification for the ‘850 Caravan’ conversion is expected in early second quarter 2003.

“The ‘850 Caravan,’ developed by Anchorage-based Aero Twin Inc and powered by the proven performance of a TPE331-12 engine delivers significantly better take-off and climb performance, especially on aircraft fitted with floats, than existing powered Caravans,” said Laurena Ketzel-Kerber, director, Honeywell turboprop and regional fan.

“We expect TPE 331 power to reduce the Caravan’s takeoff distance by more than 10 per cent for

the standard 208, when compared to current installed power. The TPE331-12 will increase climb

rate by over 25 per cent while reducing fuel consumption and maintenance costs.”

Honeywell says maintenance expense with a TPE331-12 conversion will be reduced since the Honeywell overhaul interval is nearly double the current 3,600 hours with the current power application.

Aero Twin expects to re-engine a significant number of the 1,300 Caravans now flying.

“The Caravan is a fantastic airplane, and we’ve just helped it to the next level of refinement,” said Tony Cestnik, president of Aero Twin. “We are very excited by the results of the initial tests. The new engine package has exceeded our design expectations in all flight regimes.”