New GA Diesel On The Way, For More Aircraft
German aircraft engine
manufacturer Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, subsidiary of Thielert
AG, announced Tuesday the launch of a major product offensive at
the Berlin Air Show. In addition to the integration of the
company's Centurion 4.0 350 bhp jet fuel piston engine into more
aircraft, the product range is to be rounded off with a new
engine.
Representatives with Thielert tell ANN the new Centurion 3.2
will generate 230 bhp, and closes the gap in the output class
between the successful Centurion 1.7 (150 hp category) and the
Centurion 4.0 (350 hp).
"The Centurion 3.2 will also be turbocharged and liquid cooled.
In addition to the transfer box, the well-known fully electronic
engine control system (FADEC) is to be used again, which permits
user-friendly flying by means of single-lever controls," said Frank
Thielert, CEO and founder of Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH.
"The development and certification of the Centurion 3.2 will
ensue over the next 36 months," added Thielert. "The maiden flight
is expected to take place in late-2007, with series production
expected to start in 2009. The engine will be suitable for aircraft
such as the highly popular Cessna 182."
In addition to introducing a new engine, Thielert reports its
global customer service network for these diesel engines will also
be continuously enhanced. There are currently 111 service centers
for Thielert engines in 97 countries, and the service center
network is constantly being expanded.
"We are pursuing our growth strategy by consistently expanding
our product range. The acquisition of Superior Air Parts, Inc. in
March already saw us win new customers in General Aviation. New
engines and engine integrations will enable us in future to cover
the entire spectrum of piston aircraft engine technology," said
Thielert.
Thielert also announced it plans to seek new supplemental type
certifications for the integration of its 350-horsepower Centurion
4.0 (above) into several Cessna models. The conversion to the
fuel-efficient diesel engine is being offered on the single-engine
Cessna 206, and the twin-engine Cessna 340, 414 and 421.
"The Cessna 206 and 414 are, as are the 340 and 421, widely used
workhorses in general aviation. We are catering to the request of
numerous aviation companies of finally being able to refuel with
standard aviation jet fuel/ kerosene," said Thielert. "In
conjunction with the low consumption, the direct running costs are
also reduced by around 60 percent."
As with the Centurion 1.7 for the Cessna 172, Thielert will also
be offering a pre-assembled Firewall-Forward-Kit, in which the
engine is already integrated into the frame and connected to the
peripherals.
The Thielert engine
offers enhanced safety thanks to shorter take-off runs. The low
consumption -- on average, around 12 gph, per engine -- permits
longer range and higher payloads, all at a higher cruising
speed.
Thielert says its design of the engine pods for the twin-engine
models also results in improved aerodynamic efficiency -- and
frankly, more attractive styling. (It is not necessary to modify
the cowling of the Cessna 206.)
Thanks to the lighter-weight propellers, Thielert added,
converting the Cessna 414 to the jet fuel engine has virtually no
impact on the aircraft's empty weight.