Aircraft

Microturbo (booth 5152) says first results from its e-APU test campaign confirm the "excellent general dynamic behaviour" of the new auxiliary power unit, which has been designed to meet the electrical power requirements of new-generation business aircraft.

A second e-APU has joined the test campaign, which Turbomeca subsidiary and Safran group company Microturbo says is "progressing at a good pace".

Since its first testbed run on 31 December 2008, the e-APU has exceeded its nominal power rating and undergone fuel control adaptation and thermal and dynamic behaviour tests, and partially completed transient operation trials.

With its streamlined architecture comprising two axial turbine stages and a high-pressure cycle based on technologies developed within the Safran group, the e-APU is designed to break new ground in terms of endurance, reliability, power-to-weight ratio and size.

"Thanks to these initial test results, we are confidently pursuing this program and strengthening our co-operation with business jet manufacturers," says Jean-Baptiste Jarin, Microturbo sales director.

Certification and first production deliveries of the e-APU are scheduled for early 2012.

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