Olney, TX – Air Tractor, Inc. announced an improvement to the AT-802 and AT-802A that enhances turbine engine performance. A new Engine Ram Air Inlet positioned beneath the propeller spinner provides increased airflow to engine. The increased airflow reduces inter-turbine temperatures (ITT) or produces a net horsepower increase at the same ITT. Air Tractor reports that the Engine Ram Air Inlet will be a standard feature on new production AT-802 and AT-802A aircraft for the 2006 model year.

“This is just one more advancement that’s part of Air Tractor’s tradition of continuing aircraft improvement,” says Air Tractor’s V.P. of Engineering Jim Hirsch. “For a given ITT setting, the engine ram air inlet gives the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67AG turbine engine a noticeable performance boost.” Hirsch explained that the static pressure rise created by the inlet results in a net gain in shaft horsepower of the engine.

Routine maintenance of the ram air inlet is reasonable, says Hirsch. “The ram air inlet uses a more expensive air filter element, but it can be washed and reused several times so that the cost over the life of the filter element is comparable to that of conventional air filters.” Another feature of the new inlet system is an alternate induction air door that can be opened in flight in case of filter blockage.

The Engine Ram Air Inlet is available as a retrofit upgrade for existing AT-802 and AT-802A aircraft with an offset engine mount. The kit is priced at $11,500.00, and the retrofit service will be available through Air Tractor dealers around the globe. Hirsch says Air Tractor is considering adding the engine ram air inlet to other Air Tractor models as well. “We anticipate that this will be well received by Air Tractor operators; they are always interested in ways to improve their productivity and performance of their planes. So we want to offer our customers more of a good thing.”

In business since 1974, Air Tractor, Inc. manufactures more aircraft for the agricultural aviation industry than any other company in the world at its production facilities in Olney, Texas. For more information about the new

AT-802 Engine Ram Air Inlet, or for the name of the nearest authorized Air Tractor dealer, contact Air Tractor, Inc. at 940-564-5616. Additional information can also be found at the Air Tractor website: www.airtractor.com.