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Frank A. Jones
Frank A. Jones
Manager, Business Development

US test flight of an RV10 aircraft with the TP100 engine

07/02/2014
The TP 100 turboprop engine has passed successful test flights in the USA. The first flight took place on June 8th 2014 at DeLand Airport in Florida. After the initial test flight, the aircraft was taken on a 2,500 mile-long (4,000 km) journey to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin.
The TP 100 engine powered a 4-seat RV-10 in the experimental category. The success of the flight represents an important step in bringing this new engine closer to final certification  and to the gradual launch of its serial production. The distributor of this aircraft in the United States is the Turbine Solution Group, which, after completing 40 hours of test flights, received an unlimited US airworthiness certificate in the experimental category. Shortly afterward, the aircraft went on a 9-hour flight from Florida to Wisconsin to attend the annual AirVenture convention. As of August 15th,  in only two months  this aircraft has clocked up nearly 70 hours of flight time. First pilot Capt. Peter Pierpont (a former Marine Corps pilot) and his co-pilot Christian Skoppe were thrilled with their experience, giving a great first impression: “When you get to experience a real turbine engine, it really bares no comparison with a standard piston engine. Once you fly with a turbine engine, you’ll never want to go back to the piston engine.
The first flight lasted around 30 minutes, at an average 3,500 ft (1 km) altitude. It departed from its home airport in DeLand, Florida before flying out to Daytona and back. The total distance of the first flight was around 80 miles (130 km).
The TP 100 is a turboprop engine with an output of 241 HP (180 kW) and a weight of 121 lbs (55 kg). The proven TJ 100 engine functions as a gas generator, runs a free turbine through a reduction gear and a three-blade propeller with a constant speed of 2185 rev/min.
The test airplane – the popular RV-10 aircraft (registration number - N241TG) - was specifically adapted for installing  the TP 100 engine. It has a weight of 1530 lbs (694 kg). The fuel tanks in the wings were doubled from 60 to 120  gallons (225 to 450 lts). The wingspan remained at 32 ft (9.7 m), while the total length was extended to 25 ft (7.7 m). The 4-seat RV-10 aircraft in combination with the TP 100 engine is the ideal aircraft for families of 4. It is currently powered by  an advanced turboprop engine for general aviation.

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