GE Aerospace aims for year-end FAA approval for Catalyst turboprop engine

The $6.95 million Denali first flew on Nov. 21, 2021. While certification was initially planned for 2023, delays in the Catalyst program pushed that timeline to 2025. According to Corkery: “We faced tough new regulations that were more challenging than expected.” These regulations pertained to ice crystal and super-cooled liquid droplet mitigation. “We had to bring in very experienced folks to get those [requirements] over the line,” he added. “Those were big headwinds. But we feel we’ve mitigated the risk to get certification by the end of the year.”

For FAA certification, the Catalyst had to complete 23 key engine-level tests; 19 of these tests have been completed so far. The remaining four—covering endurance, vibration, blade-out, and compressor operability—are currently underway in four separate test cells. “We expect all that testing to be wrapped up by the end of the third quarter,” Corkery stated, “then we’ll be finalizing and submitting the final reports.”

Meanwhile, GE is establishing its service infrastructure to support Catalyst once Denali begins shipping. The production readiness phase is also underway with GE having already built 35 engines. “We’ll deliver what Textron Aviation needs,” Corkery said. “We’re aligned with their schedule.”