Thu, Dec 17, 2009
Until recently, general aviation manufacturers had only one
option, the turboprop, for powering market aircraft. Trace
Engines LP spent years developing and designing an alternative
solution to meet the aviation industries need for a modern, cost
effective reciprocating engine. Fully certified and ready for
production, the Trace V-8 engine represents an evolution in engine
selection.
The turbocharged, liquid-cooled engine improves operational
performance by increasing speed, range, and gross weight without
increasing operational cost; TRACE Engines estimates that with the
combined lower cost to purchase, repair, and overhaul, operators
can save 35% to 50%.
As Czarnecki explains, while a turbine engine displays constant
power degradation as altitude increases, the turbocharged TRACE V-8
maintains cruise power all the way up with an estimated 600hp
maximum takeoff and 500hp maximum continuous; an equivalent turbo
prop engine would need to be rated as much as 1,000 horsepower at
sea level to match the TRACE engine’s output at
altitude. The result is an average 27 gallons per hour fuel
rate, less than 30% the fuel rate of an equivalent powered turbine
engine.
Currently, typical installations can be found in singles with
gross weights up to 6,000 lbs and twins up to 12,500 lbs. The
starting price remains at 200,000 for an engine package, with total
installation costs varying due to time and labor. TRACE
Engines LP is located in Midland, Texas where its production
facilities are able to produce around 100 engines a year for over
40,000 potential aircraft retrofit opportunities.
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