Expands Market For The Diesel Piston Powerplant

The Ukrainian aviation authority has granted an STC to Thielert Aircraft Engines for the installation of its Diesel piston aircraft engines Centurion 2.0 and 2.0s in Cessna 172s. On September 7, 2012, the agency issued the STC to the German company based in Saxony. The STC means that the Cessna models 172 R and S are now certified.

The certification applies to both the Centurion 2.0 and the power pack Centurion 2.0s. The Centurion 2.0s is the more powerful version of the well-established Centurion 2.0 with its proven fuel efficiency. Weighing the same as the Centurion 2.0, it generates additional 20 HP. The Centurion 2.0s and the Cessna form a "harmonious team," said Centurion spokesman Sebastian Wentzler. “Everyone who needs good performance at low consumption is in favor of the Centurion 2.0. Pilots loving top performance will be enthusiastic about the Centurion 2.0s," he said.

For the Centurion 2.0s, it was possible to increase the MTOW limit from 2,450 pounds to 2,550 pounds. Cruising flight fuel consumption is 6.4 gallons per hour at a speed of 115 KTAS (at 70% power, 6000 ft). The initial climb rate is shown as 798 ft/min at sea level, and takeoff distance is reduced to 1,617 feet over a 50 ft obstacle. The range with the 44 gallon standard tank is 665 nm. Like all aircraft equipped with the Centurion engine also the Cessna has a fully electronic engine and propeller control system with single-lever control.

The first demo flights of the Centurion-Cessna at Ukrainian and Russian clubs and fly-ins have met with a positive response. “Quiet, simple and, above all, very powerful” was the general opinion of the pilots who already had the opportunity to fly the Cessna 172. One reason for the demand for Diesel engines is low avgas availability in those countries.

The worldwide Cessna 172 fleet consists of more than 40,000 aircraft.

FMI: www.thielert.com