French turbine-engine manufacturer Price Induction is about to embark on European certification of its DGEN 380 general aviation turbofan.  An example of the engine, claimed to be the smallest such powerplant available, is being exhibited on the company’s stand (Hall 3 E30).

The Tarnos, France-based company has recently set up wholly owned subsidiaries in Atlanta, Georgia, and São José dos Campos, Brazil, to develop and market the 560- to 900-pound-thrust DGEN 380 and the 700-pound-thrust DGEN 390. The company said it is “highly likely” that the U.S. subsidiary will be given responsibility for producing a specific engine in the U.S.

The engines are being marketed in tandem with a new product, launched in 2010, the whole engine simulator turbine technology (WESTT), which is targeting the market for turbine engine engineering training, estimated at more than $170 million over the next 10 years.

WESTT products have already been installed in various French academies, including the prestigious Toulouse-based Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace. Price Induction said U.S. universities have also shown interest. “There is real hope an order will be placed soon,” it said.

The company admits the market for general aviation products has reduced greatly in the current recession but confirmed that it is talking to several aircraft manufacturers about possible applications for the DGEN 380/390.