GE’s Catalyst Engine Earns FAA Approval, Denali Cert. Moves To 2026

GE Aerospace has received the long-awaited FAA certification of its clean-sheet 1,300-shp Catalyst single-turboprop engine, which powers Textron Aviation’s under-development Beechcraft Denali.

Achieving engine certification helps pave the way for certification and first delivery of the Denali, now expected in 2026—an extension from its most recent projection of 2025, Textron Aviation says.

The engine’s FAR Part 33 certification involved more than 23 engines and more than 190 component tests, it says. The test engines have completed more than 8,000 hr. of operation, GE says.

“Catalyst is the first, new centerline, clean-sheet advanced turboprop of the 21^st century and the first turboprop engine to be certified to the latest standards, which include more than 20 significant new requirements,” GE says.

Textron Aviation’s goal is to achieve type certification and entry into service “as quickly as possible,” the company says in a statement. “The purpose of a development program is to fully mature the airframe and systems to the highest standards. Textron Aviation, in conjunction with FAA certification requirements, will take all time necessary to complete the process to deliver this clean-sheet aircraft to the market. At this time, certification is expected in 2026.”

Timing of the certification of the Denali is also impacted by other projects in the works.

“Other key programs that factor into the alignment of the Denali program include the Cessna Citation Ascend, the Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 autothrottle upgrade, the Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 and the Citation Latitude avionics upgrade, all expected to certify in 2025,” the company says.

Textron Aviation continues to make “great” progress on development of the Denali, it says. “And we believe the aircraft will be a game changer in the single-engine, high-performance turboprop segment. To date, the Denali certification program has amassed more than 2,700 flight hours and 1,100 flights across its three test articles.”

GE announced the new engine in 2015. It made its first flight in 2017 using a King Air as a testbed.     

Textron Aviation also unveiled the Denali in 2015 with hopes for first flight in 2019. The Denali took its first flight in 2021 with the early goal of certification in 2023.

“The certification of the Catalyst engine is a significant milestone for our company and a proud moment for all our team members who have dedicated their efforts to the design, development and testing of this brand-new European turboprop engine,” says Riccardo Procacci, GE Aerospace president and CEO of propulsion and additive technologies. “We are now fully committed to supporting the production ramp-up of the engine toward the entry into service in support of our customers.”

The Catalyst engine has been through a rigorous certification and testing program, says Paul Corkery, Catalyst general manager at Avio Aero. “We are pleased with the performance of the engine throughout its ground and flight-test campaigns, and we remain fully focused on supporting Textron Aviation as they complete the certification process and prepare for entry into service of the Beechcraft Denali.”

The Catalyst engine will provide better fuel consumption and up to 10% higher cruise power compared to competitors in the same engine class, GE says. It introduces two stages of variable stator vanes and cooled high-pressure turbine blades. It also features components made by using additive manufacturing.

The engine was designed, developed and produced at GE Aerospace facilities in Europe, including Avio Aero in Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany.