GE Aviation is planning to assemble, maintain, repair and overhaul its new Passport 20 engine at its facility in Strother, Kan. The company announced the plans during a celebration at the Strother facility today that was attended by Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), other dignitaries and local employees. The Strother location, in operation since 1951, is used to service various engines, including the CF34, T700, CT7 and CFM56. GE Aviation is investing $7 million in machinery and equipment to base Passport 20 assembly at the Kansas plant.
GE Aviation said the move will enable the company to maintain employment levels at the site long-term. Currently, 700 workers are located at the Strother facility. "This investment will position Strother to play a pivotal role across the entire life cycle of the Passport 20 engine," said Tony Aiello, GE Aviation's vice president and general manager for assembly, test and maintenance, repair and overhaul operations.
Installation of the new equipment and employee training will take place this year. The first engine is expected to roll off the assembly line in 2016 with full volume production following in 2017.
The 16,500-pound-thrust engine was selected to power Bombardier’s new Global 7000 and 8000. The Passport engine first flew December 30 aboard GE’s 747-100 flying test bed in Victorville, Calif. The Passport program had accumulated more than 1,000 hours and 500 cycles as of March 1.
