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When will a diesel be available for my aircraft? |
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News, facts, and comments on the coming revolution for piston-engine aircraft.News of May 24, 2006Thielert announces major new products.Hamburg/Berlin, 16 May 2006 – The German company Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, a subsidiary of the listed group Thielert AG, today announced the launch of a major product offensive at the Berlin Air Show (ILA). In addition to the integration of the Centurion 4.0 350 bhp jet fuel piston engine into further aircraft, the product range is to be rounded off with a new engine. The new Centurion 3.2 will generate 230 bhp and closes the gap in the output class between the successful Centurion 1.7 and the Centurion 4.0. "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," states Frank Thielert, CEO and founder of Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH. The global customer service for these jet fuel engines will also be continuously enhanced. Today, there are already some 111 service centers in 97 countries, and the service centre network is constantly being expanded. Thielert aspires to new supplemental type certifications for the integration of its powerful 350 bhp Centurion 4.0 into several models built by the American aircraft manufacturer Cessna. The conversion to the fuel-efficient jet fuel engine is being offered for 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. In conjunction with the low consumption, the direct running costs are also reduced by around 60 per cent," explains Frank Thielert. 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. By fitting the Centurion 4.0, the Cessnas acquire a new attractive dimension compared with conventional engine configurations. The Thielert engine offers enhanced safety thanks to shorter take-off runs. The low consumption of, on average, 45 liters (12 Gal.)/hour per engine permits a longer range and optimized payload, and this at a higher cruising speed. The design of the engine pods for the twin-engine models is impressive with its aerodynamic efficiency and effective styling. It is not necessary to modify the cowling of the Cessna 206. Thanks to the lighter-weight propellers, converting the Cessna 414 to the jet fuel engine has virtually no impact on the weight. In General Aviation, engine-propelled aircraft are categorized into three output classes. They are equipped with engines that generate outputs of around 150 bhp, 230 bhp and 350 bhp. With its Centurion 1.7 and Centurion 4.0 jet fuel engines, Thielert already offers engines for the lower and upper output classes. Thielert has now announced that it is also looking to cover the middle output class. The new engine will go by the name of the Centurion 3.2. It generates over 230 bhp (172 kW) and, like all Thielert engines, will be based on the latest diesel technology and reliable automotive components. "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," announces Frank Thielert. The development and certification of the Centurion 3.2 will ensue over the next 36 months, continues 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. The company has been pushing ahead with the further expansion of its international network of authorized service centers by training up technicians. Both service mechanics from aircraft manufacturers and independent service engineers have been trained at the engine plant in Lichtenstein/Saxony and at the new training centre at Superior Air Parts, Inc. in Dallas/Texas. These are now authorized to carry out services and warranty work on the Centurion engines. Aviation companies from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other countries in Europe have been incorporated into the worldwide service network on the basis of contracts. As such, the number of CENTURION service centers has risen within the space of one year from 60 in April 2005 to its present total of 111 in May 2006. Two further distribution partners for the Netherlands and Hungary have been acquired in the form of Vliegwerk Holland bv and Hungarian Aircraft Technology & Services Ltd. In their respective countries, these partners will now be looking after both the service side and also the distribution for the CENTURION engines. This sees the number of distribution partners representing Thielert worldwide rise to eleven. posted at 9:35 AM |
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