GE Aviation is deciding where in Europe to locate the final assembly plant for its in-development Advanced Turboprop (ATP) engine, Paul Corkery, general manager advanced turboprop programs, said here during a roundtable forum. The ATP is slated to power launch customer Textron Aviation’s SETP turboprop single

The ATP will have the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class, according to GE, and will have a 33 percent longer time between overhaul (TBO) and 20 percent lower mission fuel burn than equivalent turboprop engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada. GE Aviation is investing $1 billion on the program in Europe, and has more than 400 engineers in Italy, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic working on the program. It will draw on regional expertise to fabricate sub-assemblies and components, with final assembly, testing and certification likely performed in the Czech Republic.

Brad Mottier, vice-president, business/GA and integrated systems, noted the engine will incorporate advanced features proven in other GE engines, including variable stator vanes and cooled turbine blades. Additionally, sensors in the engine will gather data that could enable GE to extend the time between overhauls (TBO)–the engine requires no hot section inspections–and even create individualized maintenance programs for the engines, based on where and how they’re operated.

Initially rated at 1,300 shp, future iterations of the ATP will be rated from 850 to 1,650 shp, and other power range variants will likely be developed in the future. The first engine is expected to be up and running in the fourth quarter of next year, with certification achieved by 2020. While it’s expected ATPs will be chosen to power other platforms going forward, Corkery and Mottier said that, for now, the company is “totally focused” on meeting the needs of its launch customer.

A mock-up of the engine will be on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in the U.S. later this month, where Textron is expected to announce the official name of the aircraft.