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Aviation History
2002
2002 - 3387.PDF
BUSINESS & GENERAL AVIATION POWERPLANTS KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON Diesel gets go-ahead for Skyhawk Race is on among European manufacturers to become first to gain US retrofit approval after German certification among European diesel engine pro ducers. French producer SMA, unlike TAE, has already won US certification for its larger 170kW SR305-230 diesel engine and is aiming for STCs for the Cessna 182 Skylane and EADS Socata TB20 early next year. TAE says: "We have European certification for the 1.7 and US approval is planned for next month or early 2003. Then we will pursue validation of the STC for the Cessna Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) has become the first light diesel engine manufacturer to gain approval to retrofit a light aircraft following supplemental type certification (STC) in Germany for its lOOkW (135hp) Centurion 1.7, formerly the Thielert 135, for the Cessna 172 Skyhawk series. The race is now on to become the first manufacturer to gain US approval for a jet-fuel/diesel engine retrofit, as competition intensifies AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT Finance for TT62 prototype secured High Performance Aircraft plans to start building the first prototype TT62 twin piston-engined. five-seat aircraft at the end of next year and has secured investment to fund the programme through certification and first deliveries. Powered by the Thielert Centurion 4.0 diesel engine, the TT62 is designed to replace ageing piston twins such as Cessna 340s and Piper FJ100 Aerostars, says the German company. Priced at around €450,000 ($453,000), the TT62 will consume 79 litres/h (21 USgal/h) of fuel at a normal cruising speed of 240kt (445km/h) at 20,000ft (6,100m), with a 2,500kg (5,5101b) take-off weight. The aircraft's range is 3,225km (1,750nm). First flight is set for 2004, with certification scheduled for the following year. High Performance plans to build 50-80 aircraft in its first year of production, then increasing to 140 aircraft a year. 172, then the Piper PA28." Retrofit is priced at €40,000 ($40,000). The German company's main goal is to sell the engine directly to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), particularly Cessna, Cirrus and New Piper, for installation on new air craft types. TAE has sold the 1.7 to Diamond Aircraft to power the DA40 TD1 and DA42 twin under development. TAE is developing a 230kW jet- fuel/diesel engine, the Centurion 4.0, and will begin flight tests in the first quarter of next year. "The Centurion 4.0 is targeted at the Cessna 206, Piper Cherokee, Beech Baron and Bonanza," says TAE, adding that the Centurion 4.0 will also be used to power the five-seat, twin-engined High Performance Aircraft, under development. SMA's 170kW engine has already been selected by Maule and Cirrus to drive their respective M-7 and SR21tdi new light aircraft. The Snecma/EADS/Renault joint venture company is also pursuing the retro fit market and in April established a joint venture called AeroNexx to secure retrofit business in Europe, North America and South America (Flight International, 16-22 April). Like TAE, SMA is developing a 230kW diesel engine which it says is set to fly early next year on a B-N Group Islander, with certification planned "around 18 months later". SMA also expects a "significant retrofit market" but, like its European competitor, is also chas ing new aircraft installations. "There are around 180,000 air craft in the 180-300hp [240k W- 400kW] range," says the company. "New aircraft produced represent a maximum of 2,000 new aircraft a year at the moment. SMA has already taken orders from OEMs and we are negotiating with Cessna and Piper for new aircraft." Meanwhile, UK kit aircraft diesel engine manufacturer Wilksch Airmotive has received Popular Flying Association approval for its 90kW WAM-120 engine and has secured a tranche of investment to fund production and assembly of the two-stroke engine. The com pany has so far clinched over 40 orders for the £10,000 ($14,500) WAM 120, more than half from owners of the Europa kitplane. Wilksch is also developing a £15,000 four-cylinder 120kW diesel engine, the WAM 160. INVESTMENT Funding secures S26 development Safire Aircraft has secured private investment to fund its S26 twin- engined personal jet up to and including its first flight. The agree ment, with a group of private Swiss investors for an undisclosed sum, was signed earlier this month. It allows the programme "to move at full speed towards completing the design and building the first proto type", says Safire, adding: "First flight is now set for early 2004." The West Palm Beach, Florida- based company says it has received more than 900 orders for the six- seat aircraft, which has a target price of about $1 million. Safire says it is in final negotia tions with a supplier for the l,0001b-thrust (4.5kN) engine and plans to reach a decision by the end of this month. Agilis's TF-1000 turbofan was the original choice. Safire is also evaluating a loca tion for a final assembly plant "which will provide alternatives to expand as we gear towards our high-rate production programme of four aircraft a day". Selection should be completed by the end of the month, it says, and the facility fully operational by early January. More than 900 orders have been placed for the six-seat S26 CHINA DELIVERY Bombardier has delivered a Challenger 800 corporate shut tle business jet, formerly the Corporate Jetliner, to Beijing- based operator China Ocean Aviation Group. The 34-seat, two cabin aircraft joins a corporate- configured Bombardier CRJ200 airliner which was delivered in January and will be used to transport senior government personnel. Meanwhile, Bombardier Flexjet Asia opera tor Rainbow Jet has signed a block charter contract with global energy company Shell. The Shandong Airlines sub sidiary will transport Shell employees using two Challenger 604s. www.fliqhtinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 19-25 NOVEMBER 2002 27
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