Has Undergone High Altitude And High Temperature Testing

By: Gene Yarbrough

Michael Fuchs presented preliminary testing results for the EPS 4.3 liter diesel engine in development during a media briefing at AirVenture.

The engine, an 8 cylinder 180 degree horizontally opposed mill, targeting the O-540/550 family has showed good performance in testing aimed at certification. The Graflight V-8 engine employs an electronic control system designed and manufactured by industry leader Bosch General Aviation Technology to dramatically reduce pilot workload and ensure efficiency and ease of operation. The engine is controlled with a single power lever, leaving traditional pilot chores like propeller pitch, fuel mixture and controlling engine temperature to the computer, reducing the risk of pilot error.

The engine is designed with extremely rugged technologies, like steel pistons and CGI iron crankcases that provide superior strength and durability over aluminum without sacrificing weight. This reduces maintenance costs significantly by increasing the targeted Time Between Overhauls (TBO) to 3,000 hours, a 50 to 100 percent increase over the industry’s current values of 1,500 to 2,000 hours.

The engine has undergone high altitude testing in Colorado and high temperature testing in Arizona, both efforts indicating operating in these extremes as expected with no adverse behaviors thus far. The engine is rated at 408 horsepower for takeoff and will maintain that output to 30,000 ft with an expected TBO of 3000 hrs.

Fuchs stated that although the development process is long and costly the company has funding in place to achieve their production certificate and enter production with first deliveries expected "soon" without committing to a firm date.

(Image from file)

FMI: eps.aero