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News, facts, and comments on the coming revolution for piston-engine aircraft.

News of December 01, 2003

Our comments on GANews interview of Bryan Lewis, President of Teledyne Continental (11/21 p 39):

Continental will introduce its diesel 2-stroke GAP technology developed with NASA funding as a 6-cyl., 350HP engine. Following SMA's example, Continental will not explicitly market their engine as a diesel. Continental's engine is in fact a diesel. Diesel seems to be a negative word in the US General Aviation world.

Continental is working with Honda Motors on a new 220HP gasoline engine, running on Avgas or Mogas. It may be the first to be introduced.

Continental will pursue FADEC as a conversion for its existing range of engines.

We think Continental is right: The highest economic viability and biggest short term market potential for a diesel conversion is in the 300-400HP range, aiming at Navajos, Aero Commanders, Beech Queen Air and the like. A diesel 2-stroke of 350HP will be smaller, more fuel-efficient and actually lighter than any O-540 or 550.

However, there is a big short term retrofit market for the SMA 230HP diesel, which is ready now. To read about it and others, order our study: Subscription rate $99 until 12/31, $149 afterwards.

posted at 4:10 AM

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Mission Statement

Every month: news, facts, and comments on the coming revolution for piston-engines aircrafts between 130 and 400 HP: Retrofitting a diesel engine to run on Jetfuel or Kerosene, reduce Gallons/Hour by some 30%, eliminate ignition systems (magnetos, spark plugs) and their problems, eliminate mixture control, increase TBO to 2,400-3,000 hours, increase performance between 6,000 and 12,500 ft., and drastically reduce Operating Costs.

The letter is intended for piston engines aircraft owners, manufacturers, fleet operators and FBOs, re-manufacturers of engines for these aircrafts, manufacturers of engine components and ancillaries, and all professionals acting in decisions of engine exchange or refitting at TBO, in North and South America, Pacific Rim, African continent, and all parts of the world were Avgas, Mogas, Kerosene and Jetfuel are available.

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