Written by Paul Theofan, president and managing executive of GE Aviation Czech Republic
If you had told me a year ago that I’d try selling GE engines at a convention in Las Vegas for agricultural aviation of all things, I would have called you crazy. But that’s how I spent a great week recently, representing GE Aviation’s newest acquisition, Walter Aircraft Engines.

Call it a brave new world. GE’s Walter Aircraft Engines has opened up all kinds of aviation segments for us - small turboprop engines for small utility and general aviation airplanes, and, of course, agricultural airplanes for crop dusting, fertilizing, and firefighting. These opportunities were one of the key factors in GE purchasing certain assets of Walter Engines, a $28 million turboprop engine business in Prague. Since the deal closed last July, Walter Aircraft Engines had a 50 percent jump in sales in the final quarter of 2008, and we expect more success this year with the recent launch of a new engine derivative, the M601H-80 engine.

The M601H-80 engine is a classic case of how a GE acquisition can make a product better. We’re incorporating GE’s advanced technologies, including 3D aero design and new materials. These advancements will improve the engine’s fuel efficiency by 7 percent compared to the existing M601F engine, boost shaft horsepower and extend the engine’s service life to lower maintenance costs.

At the Ag show in Las Vegas, the Walter team met the gamut – from operators with big aircraft fleets to mom-and-pop operations. They all had great things to say about our existing engines and were extremely interested in the new M601H-80.

For me, the Walter Aircraft Engines ride has just begun. I’m excited to expand this business and to take GE Aviation places we’ve never been before.

You can watch a video from the NAAA AgAir Convention on YouTube.