Czech general aviation aircraft manufacturer Orbis Avia has completed the first flight of its new SM92TE Praga Alfa aircraft.
Currently under development, the utility aircraft is powered by GE’s H Series turboprop engine that is designed to create take-off power of up to 750shp.
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The SM92TE is expected to receive the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification by the end of this year.
The certification will be followed by an amphibious aircraft certification programme.
GE business and general aviation turboprops president and managing executive Norman Baker said: “We are looking forward to introducing our enhanced durability, maintenance simplicity and performance capability into single-engine utility operations.”
Orbis Avia produced its SM92TE Praga Alfa aircraft at its site in the Czech Republic and aims to produce more than 100 units of the aircraft by 2022.
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By GlobalDataDesigned to carry out heavy-duty performance, the aircraft combines Garmin avionics, as well as short take-off and landing (STOL) and rapid climb capabilities.
Praga Alfa will also facilitate parachuting and provide transportation for remote areas.
According to GE, its Praga Alfa-equipped H Series turboprop engines offer 4,000h-time between overhaul (TBO) for agriculture, utility and business aviation aircraft.
GE Aviation also announced that it has launched a formal process with Aerion to define and evaluate a final engine configuration for the latter’s AS2 supersonic business jet.
