CT7 Turboprop Plays Major Role in Engine Family Success

November 1996 -- LYNN, Massachusetts - GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) CT7/T700 engine family recently celebrated delivery of its 10,000th engine during a commemorative ceremony at GE's Lynn, Massachusetts, facility.

The milestone event was marked by Saab Aircraft's acceptance of the 1,200th CT7 turboprop engine.

It was in 1980 that Saab Aircraft selected the CT7 turboprop version of the GE T700 turboshaft engine to power their new Saab 340 regional airliner.

Louis A. Bevilacqua, general manager of GE's Turboshaft/Turboprop Project said, "Over the course of the engine family's history, the CT7 has evolved as an outstanding turboprop engine and has contributed significantly to the success of our engine family. We're proud to be joined with Saab on the Saab 340, the first of the new generation turboprops to enter service in 1984. Today, the Saab 340 is the market leader in its class with over 400 aircraft delivered."

The CT7 turboprop also powers the CN235 built by CASA in Spain and IPTN in Indonesia, the Czech LET 610G, and the Russian Sukhoi S-80. More than 10 million engine flight hours have been logged by CT7 turboprops, representing over half of the 20 million engine flight hours logged by the CT7/T700 engine family.

"The versatility of the CT7 turboprop has been demonstrated across wide service applications, including regional airlines, VIP aircraft, military transport, maritime patrol, electronic surveillance and utility operations. Approximately 30 percent of the aircraft powered by the CT7, most notably versions of the CASA/IPTN CN235, are used by the military forces of several countries around the world," Bevilacqua said.

The combined CT7-powered fleet totals 540 aircraft.

Continued success of the CT7 turboprop is being supported by the development of growth versions of the CT7/T700 engine family. A CT7-9+ featuring an advanced centrifugal compressor will provide a 4 percent power increase for better hot day/high altitude performance and will be available in 1997. A 10 percent growth CT7-11 turboprop is planned for 1998 certification.