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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 January 18, 2008Aero-TV Checks Out The Jet A-Powered Thielert turbo-diesel 172S Skyhawk.The new Skyhawk TD (turbo diesel, of course) features a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) equipped Thielert Centurion 2.0 liter engine. The DOHC (double overhead camshaft) inline 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. Thielert was issued a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Skyhawk in March, 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 increased range and endurance, Cessna says the Skyhawk TD will offer an ideal solution for special mission applications like forestry patrol, wildlife conservation efforts, pipeline/power line patrol, traffic reporting and airborne law enforcement, according to Cessna. Cessna announced a partnership with Thielert on "future projects" earlier this year. The Wichita gang is also making the Garmin GFC700 Automatic Flight Control (AFCS) and Flight Director (FD) system standard equipment on most Skyhawk models. The autopilot function selector will be conveniently located on the Garmin G1000 flight display with the GFC700 capable of using all of the data available within the G1000 avionics system. Among the new navigational features included is all-digital, dual-channel, two-axis flight control -- featuring an attitude-based (versus rate-based) autopilot. The GFC700 on the Skyhawk also features a Flight Director, offering pitch and roll guidance to show the pilot the attitude for a standard climb or turn. The system also sports Flight Level Change capability --- to ensure the aircraft maintains airspeed while climbing or descending to a pre-selected altitude -- and a Go Around mode. Additionally, Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) with Lateral Performance, Vertical Guidance approach (LPV) and Vertical Navigation (VNAV) capabilities; Garmin SafeTaxi; and Garmin FliteCharts became standard for the Skyhawk, Skylane and Stationair starting with 2007 models. The Garmin ChartView powered by Jeppesen is optional. (Aero-TV 1/15/08) DieselAir Comment: With the 155HP, one can expect a maximal cruising speed of 130 knots at 12,500 feet, but let us wait for a full test report to confirm. Because of the constant speed propeller and of the ability of turbo-diesels to maintain power with altitude the climb rate to cruising altitude will also be faster. posted by Deena at 3:38 AM |
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