Turbine Conversions

Name

Turbine Conversions

Legal name

Turbine Conversions, Ltd.

Website

https://turbineconversions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Aviation Equipment

NAICS

Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611), Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (3336)

SIC

Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Engines & Turbines (3510)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMABADAB

Turboprop Engines

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing/Aerospace Engines & Propulsion Systems

Keywords

• Agricultural aviation conversions
• Turbine engine conversions
• Aircraft fueling systems
• Fire retardant gates
• Supplemental type certificates

Headquarters

HQ city

Nunica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Conversion Kits: Sale of complete turbine engine conversion packages including Pratt & Whitney PT6A and GE H75 engines for agricultural aircraft models including Ag Cat, Air Tractor, Thrush, Cessna 206, and M-18 Dromader.
2. Aftermarket Aviation Products: Sale of proprietary products including Single Point Fueling Systems, Hydraulic Fire Gates, Cool Start Systems, Air Inlet Systems, Variable Rate Gates, and Tail Wheels for agricultural aircraft.
3. Zanoni Equipment Distribution: North American distribution of Zanoni stainless steel spray systems, atomizers, flow valves, gate boxes, and ground support equipment for agricultural aircraft.
4. Industrial Bi-fold Doors: Custom aluminum bi-fold doors for aircraft hangars, agricultural, industrial, and marine applications with various upgrade options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Turbine Conversions, Ltd. (TCL) designs, manufactures, and sells FAA STC-certified turbine engine conversion packages (Pratt & Whitney PT6A and GE H75/M601) for agricultural aircraft including Ag Cat, Air Tractor, Thrush, Cessna 206, and M-18 Dromader. The company also produces proprietary aftermarket products such as the Single Point Fueling System, Hatfield Hydraulic Fire Gate, Cool Start System, AT 802 Air Inlet System, and Variable Rate Rotary Gate, and serves as the North American distributor for Zanoni stainless steel spray equipment.

Product overview

Turbine Conversions, Ltd. (TCL) offers a portfolio of FAA STC-certified turbine engine conversion packages for agricultural aircraft alongside proprietary aircraft enhancement products. The conversion offerings are organized under two engine manufacturer programs: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-powered conversions for Turbo Cat, M-18 Dromader, and Cessna 206 aircraft; and GE Aviation H75/M601-powered conversions for Ag Cat, Fat Cat, Air Tractor 400/500 series, and Thrush aircraft. The core product line centers on the industry-leading Single Point Fueling System (SPF), which has achieved nearly 1,500 unit production and holds the position of the number one aftermarket fueling system for ag aircraft globally. Supporting products include the Hatfield Hydraulic Fire Gate for Air Tractor and Thrush aircraft, Variable Rate Rotary Gate for low-volume dispersal applications, and various airframe upgrades including AT 802 Air Inlet Systems, Cool Start Systems, Full Swivel Lockable Tail Wheels, and Thrush Reinforced Leading Edges. Since 2019, TCL has served as North American distributor for Zanoni Equipamentos stainless steel spray and atomization equipment manufactured in Brazil. TCL holds over 40 STCs in total for the agricultural aviation market.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pratt & Whitney Conversion Packages FAA STC-certified turbine engine conversion packages featuring Pratt & Whitney PT6A turbo prop engines for agricultural aircraft including Turbo Cat, M-18 Dromader, and Turbine 206 Cessna conversion programs. Sold through factory direct and authorized dealer network.
• GE Aviation Conversion Packages FAA STC-certified turbine engine conversion packages featuring GE H75 Series and M601E-11 turbines for agricultural aircraft including Ag Cat, Fat Cat, Air Tractor 400 and 500 series, and Thrush aircraft. Sold through factory direct and authorized dealer network.
• Single Point Fueling System (SPF) FAA STC-certified (STC #SA01323CH) automatic single-point refueling system for agricultural aircraft enabling hands-free fueling, automatic shut-off, partial tank fill with pilot cockpit control, and hot refueling approval. US$11,490 base price with 1" Emco Wheaton fitting installed. The #1 aftermarket fueling system for ag aircraft worldwide.
• Hatfield Hydraulic Fire Gate Clam-shell design fire retardant delivery system for Air Tractor aircraft models 502, 602, and 802, featuring reduced pitch-up after drop, hydraulic operation with emergency blow-down, full IAB/ANAC approval for federal and state firefighting contracts. Achieves full Salvo Dump of 800 gallons in 2 seconds flat.
• Variable Rate Rotary Gate STC #ST03554CH low-volume stainless steel and aluminum distribution gate with precision-formed urethane rotors enabling variable application rates from 1 to 20 pounds per acre, compatible with Zanoni gate boxes for seeding and granular dispersal applications.
• AT 802 Air Inlet System STC #SA02385CH performance enhancement air intake system for AT 802 aircraft providing increased engine air flow with 10 inches water positive pressure, reduced operating ITT up to 50°C, and digital inlet pressure monitoring with K&N cleanable filters.
• Cool Start System STC #SA02985CH turbine engine starting improvement system providing up to 50% reduction in start time and up to 180°C reduction in peak gas temperatures, reducing thermal and mechanical stress on hot section, starter, and accessory gears.
• Full Swivel Lockable Tail Wheels STC #SA2747SW suspension tail wheel assembly for Ag Cat and Thrush aircraft featuring full swivel rotation with lockable positioning, available in 5.00-5 or 6.00-6 wheel configurations with aluminum or magnesium wheels.
• Reinforced Bonded Leading Edges for Thrush Aircraft FAA STC-approved (STC #SA03518AT) bonded aluminum wing leading edge reinforcement for Thrush aircraft protecting against bird strikes and orchard whip damage using lightweight .050 extruded aluminum supports bonded to aircraft structure.
• Aluminum Bi-folding Doors Custom-designed rectangular aluminum bi-fold canopy doors available up to 120 feet wide for aircraft hangars, agricultural, industrial, and marine applications, featuring direct drive worm gear operation, variable speed control, and patent-pending auto-locking system.
• Zanoni Equipamentos Stainless Steel Spray Systems Full line of Brazilian-manufactured stainless steel precision application equipment including spray systems, flow valves, rotary atomizers, gate boxes, and ground support equipment for all makes and models of agricultural aircraft, distributed in North America by TCL since 2018. TCL maintains full inventory at its Michigan facility ready to ship to the US and Canada.

Quantifiable outcome

• SPF system pays for itself in one season
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Zanoni EquipamentoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018TCL partnered with Zanoni Equipamentos in 2019 to serve as the North American distributor for their line of stainless steel spray systems, atomizers, flow valves, gate boxes, and ground support equipment. TCL visited the manufacturing facility in Paranavaí, Brazil to verify quality standards. Zanoni has been serving the South American Ag Aviation industry since 1997.
• AeroGlobo AeronavescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTCL partnered with AeroGlobo Aeronaves in Botucatu, SP Brazil to provide sales, training, and service to Brazilian Fire Gate customers.
• Ag Air AircraftminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew US dealer welcomed in 2024 as part of SPF program expansion.
• Pratt & WhitneycoreTechnology or IntegrationTCL is an authorized Pratt & Whitney dealer offering complete packages including new PT6A-21 engines. Authorized dealership for PT6-15AG & 34AG engines.
• GE AviationcoreTechnology or IntegrationTCL is an authorized GE Engine Dealership for H-75 Engines, offering GE M601E-11 and H75 engine options in conversion packages.
• Pesticide Application Technology Lab (University of Nebraska North Platte)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTCL partnered with PAT Lab in January 2021 to conduct wind tunnel testing on Zanoni atomizers to generate empirical data supporting the atomizer's effectiveness for forestry programs in North America.
• North Star AviationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSPF dealer and Midwest tour visit stop for customer relationship building.
• Beckman MaintenanceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSPF dealer and Midwest tour visit stop for customer relationship building in Nebraska.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• SATLOC (Hemisphere GNSS): GPS-based flow control and aerial-application guidance systems for agricultural aviation. Touches the same ag-aviation operator customers as TCL, but addresses the cockpit guidance / application-control workflow rather than airframe and fuel modifications.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Aerospace: Large diversified aerospace components and engine-control manufacturer. While not a direct ag-aviation specialist, Honeywell's broader propulsion and accessories portfolio could expand into agricultural aviation over time.
• Collins Aerospace: Large diversified aerospace systems and components manufacturer. Its actuation and fluid systems overlaps conceptually with TCL's fire-gate and fueling-system engineering, though it does not specialize in ag-aviation STCs.
• Garmin: Major avionics manufacturer with established ag-aviation GPS and guidance product lines. While a much broader company, Garmin overlaps with TCL at the ag-aviation customer relationship level.

Others

• Air Tractor: U.S. agricultural aircraft OEM whose AT 402, AT 502, AT 602, and AT 802 models receive the bulk of TCL's turbine conversions, fire gates, and air inlet/air conditioning STCs — a complementary rather than competing relationship.
• Thrush Aircraft: U.S. ag-aircraft OEM that supplies several of the airframes TCL modifies with GE H75 turbine conversions and reinforced leading edges — complementary relationship in the agricultural aviation ecosystem.
• GE Aviation (Avio Aero): OEM of the H75/M601E-11 turboprop engines used in TCL's GE conversion packages. TCL is an authorized GE dealership, positioning this as a supplier/partner rather than direct competitor.
• Pratt & Whitney Canada: OEM of the PT6A turboprop engines that anchor TCL's Pratt & Whitney conversion packages. TCL is an authorized P&WC dealer, so the relationship is supplier/partner rather than competitive.

Direct peers

• Frakes Aviation: Pioneer developer of the Turbo Cat Ag Cat turbine conversion with Pratt & Whitney engines (STC #SA2444SW). TCL absorbed the Frakes STCs, but the historical business is the most direct comp on agricultural turbine conversion STCs.
• Zanoni Equipamentos: Brazilian manufacturer of stainless steel spray systems, atomizers, gate boxes, and ground support equipment for agricultural aircraft. TCL has been its North American distributor since 2019, making Zanoni the closest product-line peer in ag-aviation spray and dispersal equipment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/turbineconversions

Compliance21 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Turbine Conversions