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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 October 05, 2007Cessna and Thielert Team to Offer Skyhawk Turbo Diesel 155HP OptionAfter an extensive market survey and flight test, Cessna Aircraft Company announced at the AOPA Convention in Hartford CT that it will offer the new Thielert turbo diesel engine in its Skyhawk 172S aircraft with deliveries set to begin in mid-2008. The Skyhawk TD (turbo diesel) will feature a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) equipped Thielert Centurion 2.0 liter engine. The DOHC (double overhead camshaft) in-line four-cylinder turbocharged engine develops 155 horsepower, is certified to operate on Jet-A fuel, is liquid cooled and drives a composite three-blade constant speed propeller. "The Skyhawk is already the best-selling, most-flown airplane ever with more than 43,000 delivered, and this option further expands the market due to the worldwide availability of Jet-A fuel," said John Doman, Cessna vice president of worldwide propeller aircraft sales. Thielert has a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Skyhawk, allowing Cessna to offer a factory-installed Thielert engine. The engine features low specific fuel consumption, electronic engine control systems and improved hot-and-high engine performance. "With the Skyhawk TD, we will incorporate standard aircraft design changes to ensure simple installation and full STC integration," Doman said. "Pilots will enjoy a number of benefits in addition to lower fuel cost, such as simplified engine management and exceptional reliability." With increased range and endurance, the Skyhawk TD will offer an ideal solution for special mission applications like flight training, forestry patrol, wildlife conservation efforts, pipeline/power line patrol, traffic reporting and airborne law enforcement. Cessna and Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH made the announcement at the annual Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Expo, running Oct. 4-6 in Hartford, Conn. At the static display at Hartford-Brainard Airport, Cessna features the Skyhawk TD, Skylane, Stationair, Grand Caravan, Citation Mustang and Citation CJ2+. In the exhibit hall, Cessna showcases a mock-up of the SkyCatcher. (Thielert 10/4/07) DieselAir Comment: This constitutes another major breakthrough on the aero diesel market. Until now the main problem with the 172 Thielert was that it was somewhat underpowered at low altitude. With 155HP we can expect the new 172 Thielert to show comparable performance to an Avgas run 172 upto 4,000 ft, and much better at higher altitudes including a much higher ceiling, since this is a turbo. On top of that, Cessna is formally entering the market, tiny until now, of OEM diesel airplanes. Let us wait with interest for the first test flight, and for the impact Cessna will now have on the US and world market... posted by Deena at 2:30 AM |
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