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News of April 26, 2005

Sun 'n Fun Report: Centurion Thielert, Diamond and SMA lead the world diesel market

Delays, delays, delays. I am talking of certifications of course. Europe and overseas, as expected, witness the biggest growth in aerodiesel applications. There are some 150 Thielert Centurion 135HP engines flying in Europe, mainly with Cessna 172 conversions and DA 40's. There are only 25 SMA's flying, but surprisingly one gets the impression that SMA is more consistent in preparing the customer service support network that will allow penetration of the US market. Centurion was supposed to be supported by Superior Engines, but we heard on the Superior booth that they only show the engines: they do not take orders, and are not preparing for future sales and service. Superior was however showing a fully equipped 135HP and a naked but superb V-8 of 4 liters. SMA still talks of addressing the 300HP market with a 4 cylinder of same dimensions than the present 305ci. A Piper Dakota-SMA conversion is successfully flying on the West Coast and running after its certification too. The 182 SMA conversion was present, its US certification is said to be anytime now, and orders are welcome.

SMA's parent company is now the new SAFRAN group resulting of the merger of French turbojet manufacturer SNECMA (GE's partner in CFM) and of French aerospace component & systems manufacturer SAGEM. Other stockholders have stepped down. Maule, SMA says, is slow but steady at promoting their MX-SMA single. Deliveries haven't begun yet.

Diamond had a superb booth, expressed however disguized dissatisfaction at Thielert Centurion who, they say, is slow in organizing their customer service support; this is a reason why for the time being Diamond promotes more actively the Lycoming versons of the DA40 (single) and DA42 (twin).

Deltahawk, Wilksch, D-Air and Zoche were absent. Continental and Lycoming were noncommittal regarding their diesel projects.

A newcomer on the aerodiesel scene, GSE, well known in ground support equipments, was presenting a spectacular but mysterious 12 cyl. opposite cylinders, but gave no details.

posted at 5:05 PM

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Mission Statement

Every month: news, facts, and comments on the coming revolution for piston-engines aircrafts between 130 and 400 HP: Retrofitting a diesel engine to run on Jetfuel or Kerosene, reduce Gallons/Hour by some 30%, eliminate ignition systems (magnetos, spark plugs) and their problems, eliminate mixture control, increase TBO to 2,400-3,000 hours, increase performance between 6,000 and 12,500 ft., and drastically reduce Operating Costs.

The letter is intended for piston engines aircraft owners, manufacturers, fleet operators and FBOs, re-manufacturers of engines for these aircrafts, manufacturers of engine components and ancillaries, and all professionals acting in decisions of engine exchange or refitting at TBO, in North and South America, Pacific Rim, African continent, and all parts of the world were Avgas, Mogas, Kerosene and Jetfuel are available.

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