Texas Turbine vs AeroTwin Grand Caravan Garrett conversion

[kevinsky18]

Does anyone know much about the Aerotwin conversion? I see they are offering 950hp vs 900hp of the Texas Turbine. Aerotwins site is basically non-functional.

What other pros and cons between the two conversions?

[xsbank]

One burns less fuel?

[Capt. Chaos]

Although TT has a better ad campaign, the AeroTwin is a much better set up. AeroTwin has multiple STC's that are either factory options or have been incorporated as standard equipment on the Caravan. The AT kit was designed from the beginning with Alaska IFR operations in mind, not to be a VFR jump airplane. Aero went through the process of re certification for known ice and received FIKI approval up to 9062 lbs with or with out the pod. Part of the Aero kit is the installation of two moisture seperators to prevent water getting into the boots. The cowling inlets for the oil cooler, heater and starter/Gen cooling are designed to used in ice on the Aero not on the Texas. Aero's engine is mounted at an angle to help mitigate the tourqe and is super docil on the rudder needed to take off. The Aero kit uses hydraulics to power the standby alternator. Also standard with the Aero kit is a Shadin engine trend monitoring computer. And where TT went with using 8L clamps to secure accessories Aero went with beefy metal mounts or fabricated rock solid housings. We run IFR all year out of Ketchikan with ours, and Bearing Air in Nome is the other operator in Alaska that flys AeroTwins, and between us we are the only ones that have been approved for Part135 IFR passenger operations with Garrett's in the US.

[kevinsky18]

Thanks for the feedback.

What normal cruise speed and fuel burn down low and at 10,000'?

We are looking at putting a Grand Caravan on Amphibs as soon as Wipaire has the approvals. The EX at 867 hp is nice but it burns way too much fuel and as we know you can't have too much HP so the Garrett 950 is definitely of interest.

Nice to know that Aerotwin also off set the engine to address torque. I could see the torque issue being a problem in a tight spot where you need to give it full power get up and out asap.

[Capt. Chaos]

PM sent

[kevinsky18]

Does anyone know if Aerotwin is still in business? Their website is very outdated with several broken links. I sent them an e-mail and got no response.

[DareDevil]

im flying the TT at the moment....its definitely a good conversion at the higher altitudes. Im pretty sure from the business point of view its the one to go with

[kevinsky18]

... Im pretty sure from the business point of view its the one to go with

Thanks for the feedback. Can you expand a bit further, either here or in a PM?