Upgrade Program Also Established For Centurion 1.7 Owners

Centurion has received a European STC for the installation of the 155 HP Centurion 2.0s kerosene piston aircraft engine in the Cessna 172. On May 21, 2010, the EASA issued the STC to the German company based in Saxony, which has been operating as the subsequent sales company to the insolvent Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH for one year.

With Cessna models 172 F to S now certified, Centurion is proceeding with the certification of the 155 HP versions of the Robin DR400 Ecoflyer and Diamond DA40 TDI.

The Centurion 2.0s is the more powerful version of the well established Centurion 2.0 with its proven fuel efficiency. With an identical weight, it generates additional 20 HP. "Everyone who was impressed by the flight performance of the Cessna 172 with the Centurion 2.0 will be enthusiastic about the Centurion 2.0s," says Jasper M. Wolffson, CEO at Centurion.

The Centurion engine brings FADEC technology to the 172, with fully electronic engine and propeller control system with single-lever control. The first demo flights of the Centurion-Cessna at clubs and fly-ins have been met with a positive response in Germany and Denmark, and additional demos during the season are planned in the Czech Republic, France, and England.

The first retrofitted customer aircraft will go to the Isle of Wight, England and Switzerland. Cessna 172 aircraft which have been retrofitted with Centurion engines can also be operated in countries with low avgas availability. This summer, the first Cessnas will be retrofitted with Centurion 2.0s for Ethiopia.

The Robin certification process by Finch Aviation is at an advanced stage and only requires final measurement flights. It will then enter series production as the Robin Ecoflyer DR400 2.0s. The Centurion 2.0s kerosene engine, in combination with the traditional and proven wooden design of the DR400, results in an aircraft with excellent flight characteristics. The scope of the STC includes the Robin DR400 RP, 120D, 140B, 180R and 200R series. The Centurion 2.0s will initially be installed in new aircraft.

For existing customers, Centurion has established an upgrade program for its piston aircraft engine Centurion 1.7. Owners of aircraft equipped with this engine can take advantage of a rebate offer for unused flight hours if they choose to upgrade to the next-generation Centurion 2.0 by August 31, 2010. The Centurion 2.0 delivers 135 hp, and its weight is identical to the 1.7. But it offers a 50 percent longer TBO. As with all Centurion engines the maximum engine performance is also equivalent to the maximum continuous output in cruise flight.

All types of aircraft with Centurion 1.7 engines can be equipped with the Centurion 2.0 engine, including Cessna 172, Piper PA28, Robin DR400 and Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft. As the Centurion 2.0 has the same weight and size dimensions as the 1.7 engine, it is approved with the same STCs. In particular, Centurion says that for owners of Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft the upgrade will allow them to avoid expensive airframe revisions.

Along with the 1,500 hours lifetime of the 2.0 engine, certain components, such as the clutch, have been increased even more. Each newly manufactured Centurion 2.0 is accompanied by a voucher for a free replacement clutch and gearbox at 300 hours, as long as these components are not yet approved for 600 hours.

The upgrade program is now valid until the end of August. The company is guaranteeing delivery within four weeks for 2.0 upgrade kit orders. In addition, Centurion Aircraft Engines will reimburse about $9.23 for each unused flight hour up to the 1,000th hour through the service center placing the order (up to $1,847 total reimbursement). The rebate will be issued after the removed Centurion 1.7 engine has been returned to Centurion Aircraft Engines. The upgrade itself involves a direct one-to-one replacement of the 1.7 engine with the 2.0 model, similar replacement of a Centurion 1.7 at the end of its lifetime.

FMI: www.centurion.aero