… WITH A TURBOPROP AG ENGINE

It’s no small matter – selecting a turboprop engine that provides a suitable match to power your agricultural aircraft and your business for decades to come. As an Ag operator, you know about passion but you also know about performance. So before making that big commitment, ask the right questions to ensure that you get passion, performance and – most of all – a partner you can depend on.

What are the cycle limits for the engine’s critical rotating components? (Hope that’s not too personal!)

You’re in this for the long haul. Your engine must be too, so ask the hard questions. You will want to ensure that the engine’s critical rotating components last for at least two overhaul cycles given the nature of the Ag mission. When you are flying 30 to 40 flights a day in season, you need an engine that will allow you to finish your season with no distraction.

Is the engine “high maintenance,” demanding shop visits at the most routine of relationship challenges?

Ideally, you want an engine that was designed to maximize maintenance while on wing, making shop visit rare. It’s the difference between a few hours of on-wing maintenance and the heartbreak of an extended stint in “engine rehab.” Don’t get stuck with separation anxiety.

Does the engine have its own support network?

You’re going to depend on your engine for a very, very long time. It’s great if you pick a dependable, durable engine with a track record like no other. But we all have different needs as we mature. Will you be able to get the support where and when you need it, to keep your engine healthy and reliably powering your aircraft? With the right engine, you’ll have at least a couple of thousand specialists located around the globe on call and a customer service network ready to answer your needs as well as those of your engine. (It’s great to know someone will always answer your call.)

Make sure your engine of choice operates on a modest budget.

Your engine is an asset. Like with any investment, you’ll want to pick one that’s proven to give you the best return. Does it drink too much gas? Require too much professional pampering? You need an engine that pulls (or pushes) its weight and a whole lot more.

You’re running a business, after all, and you want an engine that understands what motivates you, makes you profitable and shares your business goals.