Garrett Jumps on Grand Renaissance Twin Commander Bandwagon

Garrett Aviation Services will follow up its successful Falcon 20, Hawker and JetStar TFE731 re-engining programs with a "customer ready" Renaissance Twin Commander conversion.

Garrett, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Electric, has arranged to purchase four Twin Commanders for conversion under the Grand Renaissance upgrade program. The aircraft will be delivered with airframe and systems refurbishment to "zero-time" status.

Each aircraft's two TPE331 engines also will be upgraded to the more powerful -10T configuration. Base price for the modification is about $1.5 million. Additional avionics, interior and paint upgrades are available.

Garrett anticipates the program will run five years with approximately 450 aircraft available for conversion, primarily 690-series Twin Commanders. Production initially is set at four per year and could increase to as high as six, according to Chris Crum, VP and general manager of Garrett Aviation Services in Houston. The modification results in a light turboprop twin with 300-kt cruise speed or better, 7% to 10% better fuel consumption, and good short-field performance, Crum said. Garrett's Houston service center will be the lead facility for the conversion program, although the company's other centers can perform the work if needed.

By Paul Proctor