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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.
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News of January 22, 2012What is the most significant event in the world arena of aero diesel?What is the most significant event in the world arena of aero diesel? The most significant event is that Centurion-Thielert has not only survived, but progressed. I confess that 2 years ago I had doubts about the firm’s future - no more a going concern, filing the German equivalent of Chapter 11 - and about the technology of its engine: In-line, liquid cooled, geared with a high rpm, rather heavy, a spotty record of reliability and of customer satisfaction, etc. Yet, since then the firm made a systematic, methodical effort in retesting, redesigning and improving one by one its core components and its procedures for manufacturing and quality control, in the classical German way. The new feedback from customers became by late 2010: The engine is costly (compared with a classical Avgas O-360 why you can buy for a song…), it must be maintained right, but it works. Well, as of early 2012, the 2 liter Centurion remains by very far the leader on the tiny market of aero diesels while none of its competitors has made tangible progress in actual sales, certifications, and market share. Now the firm reports making progress in extending the lifetime of engines and components, which is the most important for the customer. STCs for the 155hp Centurion 2.0s are progressing: Centurion offers this engine for the single-engined Diamond DA40 since end of November '11. I asked Centurion if they had any news of their interesting V8 4-liter 300HP engine, which got its TC before bankruptcy and has been running notably on a few Cessna 206s. There were also talks at the time of a 230HP 6-cyl. Centurion answered: Most development sources are needed for the Centurion 2.0 and 2.0s to extend lifetime of engines and parts. Regarding the 4.0, we already have the TC for the engine and the STC for Cessna 206 and Cirrus SR22. Right now, development projects run as ordered from customers. Regarding a 6 cylinder there is currently no running project due to the fact this is smallest share of the market. The company has been run under insolvency proceeding conditions now for nearly 4 years which is not unusual under German law. As long as we remain at stage of negotiations with potential investors, the company invests comparably lower development budgets than in past times. A future investor or OEM partner may change this situation. Conclusion: Centurion is alive and kicking, has a modest but positive cash flow, is improving its product, and looks more and more like the lonely success story so far in the arena. posted at 5:57 AM |
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