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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 August 10, 2007Is there head-on competition between Thielert and SMA?US Medias reporting on press conferences given by Frank Thielert and Luc Pelon (CEO of SMA Engines) at Air Venture talk about a head-on competition between the two main diesel manufacturers seeking market share. We do not agree at all. The two firms are playing a Go-game in which each player establishes a territory where the other leaves a vacuum, the fight to create territory always being a race to get certified, not a me-too competition against the other supplier. Thielert is leading without question thanks to its OEM position with Diamond Air, presently by far the biggest manufacturer of diesel aircraft. It also offers today the only certified conversion for the Cessna 172, the most common airplane in flight academies; and the number of European flight academies proposing to learn to fly on a 172 diesel is growing. But Thielert has no plans, said Frank Thielert, to extend its present catalogue: 135HP and 350HP. SMA is carving a niche with the Cessna 182 converted with their 230HP diesel, is preparing another one with Maule (itself a niche manufacturer), is assisting work on other conversions, and has no plans to propose either a smaller or a bigger engine. Both firms of course are capable of developing the engine with a power matching the competitor. But they are right not to treat such a move as a priority because both must first promote the diesel concept through the certification processes and a history of satisfied owners of diesel aircraft. So one can bet that each of them wishes the other well, being the two main rowers in the very small boat of diesel aviation, and fearing that the other might "rock the boat"... posted at 12:34 AM |
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Thielert Plans Increased U.S. Presence
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