The EM-11C ORKA aircraft participating in the ESPOSA program – the first flight with new engines
The goal of the ESPOSA project was to develop new technologies for small turbine engines up to 1000 kW for the needs of Local Air Transport (SAT – Small Air Transport) as well as for applications in General Purpose Aviation (GA – General Aviation) or in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS – Unmanned Aerial Systems). The project dealt with propulsion systems that will increase efficiency, improve safety and reduce pilot workload.
The ESPOSA project dealt with turbine engines with power of:
- 160-250 KW;
- 300-550 KW.
The 160-250 KW drive unit has been tested on demonstrators – research platforms:
- I-31T aircraft with towing power unit (1 engine) – developed by the Instytu Lornictwa (Institute of Aviation);
- ORKA aircraft with a pushing power unit (2 engines) – developed by Margański & Mysłowski;
- HE-1 helicopter with helicopter power unit (1 engine) – developed by Winner Helico.
The consortium comprised participants from Western countries as well as from new Member States from Central and Eastern Europe, as well as from countries such as Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. 39 participants from 15 countries took part in the project.
Budget: EUR 37.8 million
The project is implemented under the 7th Framework Program of the European Union.
More about ESPOSA project: www.esposa-project.eu
