[Vwdiesel] OT: Aero Diesels

[Jim Arnott]

 From AVWeb:

AERO DIESELS GAINING MOMENTUM... Although many skeptics predicted the
government approvals would be years in the making, German manufacturer
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH announced last Friday that it has
certified its 135-horsepower TAE 125 diesel for the Cessna 172N and P
models. The conversion will sell under the brand name Centurion 1.7
(matching a 1.7-liter displacement). The German joint aviation
authority (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) last week OK'd the paperwork, paving
the way for certifications in the U.S. Thielert's marketing partner in
the U.S., Superior Air Parts, told AVweb Friday that follow-on
approvals will expand the range of older Skyhawks suitable for diesel
conversion and STCs for Piper's PA-28 Cherokee series will follow. As
for new aircraft, Cessna recently told AVweb that it has no plans to
fit new Skyhawks with diesel engines.

...BUT THERE'S NO FREE LUNCH Still, the cost of admission won't be
cheap. Superior's VP for engine development, Terry Wood, told us that
the Skyhawk flyaway conversion price will be about $40,000. Unlike a
Lycoming, the Centurion 1.7 has a TBR -- time between *replacement* --
not a conventional TBO. Replacement cost will be $19,900 at a proposed
initial TBR of 2,400 hours. Wood says Superior's primary market may be
flight schools, which he says will benefit from the lower operating
costs. Thus far, Thielert appears to have a leg up on the competition
with engines in certain Diamond aircraft. Competitor SMA has a
certified diesel and although Cirrus and Maule have expressed enough
interest to begin testing or certifications, no SMA aftermarket
conversions are available yet. Both Lycoming and Continental appear to
have tabled diesel projects.

Note: See AVweb's NewsWire at <http://avweb.com/n/?46a> for more.