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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 July 31, 2006News from Maule diesel modelGermany: Flugzeug Service Willy Ader LTB announces on its website http://www.aderltb.de that Maule Air, Inc. has begun work on installing the SR305 compression ignition (diesel) engine from SMA. The aircraft is based on the existing M-7-C (235, 260, 420) fuselage design, a tailwheel model that has a 5 place cabin and spring aluminum main landing gear. The aircraft will be powered by an SMA SR305 turbocharged diesel. SMA’s “compression ignition” engine is rated at 230 HP for takeoff and 200 HP for cruise. The turbocharged diesel engine will provide the Maule with improved altitude performance, lower fuel consumption, and typical Maule STOL characteristics. The Maule diesel cowl has been designed by LoPresti Speed Merchants of Vero Beach, Florida. Maule Air, Inc. is working on various systems for the engine application at the Maule factory. The standard fuel capacity will increase from 73 gallons (current standard) to 85 gallons of usable fuel. This will give this aircraft a range of over 1000 miles according to estimated specifications. Maule Air Inc. is located in Moultrie, Georgia, USA and is a remarkable firm which produces from 70 to 100 airplanes per annum with 70 employes, offers one of the lowest priced airplane in the world, yet is financially sound. Maule is family-owned, and the third generation is now running the business. The Maule single engine, high wing, short take off and landing machines are sold all over the world. Their business strategy is remarkably sound: keep producing the planes at low cost, offer them at low prices, manage a waiting list when the world market is good, put planes in inventory when it is slow. How come other manufacturers thought of it? Of course there is a secret: A Maule airplane will always sell... posted at 5:26 AM News of July 29, 2006The Coming of diesel aircraft: The DieselAir Report is available!Special announcement from Andre Teissier-duCros: The DieselAir Report on the coming of Aerodiesel engines to general aviation aircraft is at last ready. It is, on a CDRom, the PowerPoint Presentation which I have used for lectures to EAA Chapters and to other pilots' associations and clubs. I intend to continue such lectures. The presentation of 91 slides constitutes material for a 50 minute conference. It addresses all private pilots, piston-engine aircraft owners, and aviation professionals active with such aircraft. My presentation talks about: * What is a diesel engine? * Fundamental reasons why it lasts longer, uses less fuel, contains less moving parts, is easier to maintain. * Little-known reason why it is virtually impossible to run out of fuel with a diesel. * All reasons including the ones ignored by most medias, why the same aircraft converted to diesel becomes a far superior aircraft for practical cross-country IFR reasons. * All reasons why the coming of aero-diesel is inevitable. * Why is it that diesel-engined aircraft were already crossing the Atlantic in the 30's and 40's and yet were abandoned? Why do we know that they are coming to stay now? * Market Forecast: How fast and how big will be the impact on the market? * Which existing aircraft models will be easier to convert to diesel? Case of experimental aircraft versus STC'd aircraft Here's how to order the DieselAir Presentation CD. You can order with any major credit card or with PayPal. Click here to get access to the Lulu direct order page. Or go to the DieselAir Store at http://www.lulu.com/content/336659 From there, click on "Add to Cart" and follow the directions. The CD is priced at US $29.95, plus shipping. If you have any problems finding it go to www.lulu.com and use the search window for "dieselair". That's all! The presentation will be updated next winter. posted at 1:17 PM SMA Safran Group Announces FAA certification for Cessna 182 STCOshkosh AirVenture 2006 Jul 24, 2006: This is the FIRST FAA Approved STC installation of a compression ignition engine burning Jet A. Currently certified for the Cessna 182, Q & R models. At 11H00 on 24 July 2006 in OSHKOSH Wisconsin, the opening day of the worlds largest airshow, EAA AirVenture 2006, SMA, a SAFRAN owned company, welcomed the international press and the General Aviation community to witness a milestone not only in the history of SMA but also for the US General Aviation fraternity. CEO Luc Pelon announced that FAA certification of the Cessna 182 SMA powered SR305-230 Jet A fuel Piston Engine had been signed on 21 July 2006. SMA has arrived. It now joins the North American General Aviation Engine Market as a serious competitor offering customers an alternative choice with a powerplant that offers substantially reduced Life Cycle Costs. This certification is a major event that opens doors for the creation of new partnerships and further development of new SMA engine development and products. DieselAir Comment: Oshkosh witnessed two momentous events for the aero diesel market. What we shall see now, thanks to the Diamond DA42 and the Cessna 182 SMA conversion, and the coming of the 172 Thielert for flight academies, is the real take off of the diesel aircraft in the US. The DA 42 is a serious competitor, pricewise, of the Bonanza and the Sarratoga. The 182 SMA, once fully remodelled with diesel engine, instruments, and a good corrosion inspection and new interior, is the low priced opportunity to own a cross country IFR airplane offering way more than a new 182 for a lower price. One remark: DieselAir undertook in 2002 a US market forecast for diesel aircraft. Our forecast was expecting only a dozen diesel planes flying in 2006, because we expected a very slow take off of the market due to length of certifications, need for customer service, need for training personnel, etc. The number of diesel airplanes on the US register today is at least 25 and more probably 30. posted at 12:56 PM Diamond snags fleet order for diesel Twin Star and D-JetDuring the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Diamond Aircraft joined with Point2Point Airways to announce the airframer’s first sales of its diesel-powered DA42 Twin Star and forthcoming D-Jet to a certificated U.S. air carrier. Point2Point Airways said it would use the new planes—a mix of both types totaling up to 100 aircraft—as part of its plans to expand its non-scheduled commercial air service. Delivery of the first 10 DA42 Twin Stars begins in August, with additional aircraft being placed into service through the end of 2008. The carrier said the decision to acquire the aircraft is part of its ongoing expansion plans. Point2Point started operations under an FAA Part 135 operating certificate about a year ago, according to company spokesperson Leonard Lee, and plans to use the new aircraft to develop its business. To this point, the Bismarck, North Dakota-based carrier has been using Cirrus SR22s and Cessna Caravans—as well as supplemental lift from affiliated Part 135 operators—to meet customers’ demand. The new Diamond fleet will allow it to expand its operations throughout the Midwest, its current target market. Diamond and Point2Point also announced a strategic partnership as part of their agreement. The two will collaborate on custom aircraft features and training protocols designed to enhance aircraft comfort and operational effectiveness. Two TAE Centurion 1.7 turbo-diesel engines power the Diamond DA42 Twin Star, providing a cruise speed of around 174 knots and a range of 1,300 statute miles. "We’re very excited about our new strategic relationship with Diamond Aircraft," said John Boehle, Point2Point’s founder and CEO. "This alliance will expand our ability to provide the average business traveler with the kind of on-demand air service that only billionaires and top executives have had access to in the past." Peter Maurer, president of Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc., added, "This new category of personal air transportation pioneered by Point2Point has the potential to transform the way people travel and conduct business. We look forward to working closely with Point2Point and equipping them with state-of-the-art aircraft that make the tremendous benefits of on-demand personal air transportation affordable to the average business traveler." posted at 12:35 PM News of July 25, 2006Santiago de Chile: A 182SMA has crossed the AndesFrom Sergio Panno: "We own the first SMA retrofit in South America. I want to inform you that we have crossed the Andes mountain from Santiago de Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 5.0 hours at FL 155, burning 188 liters (50.6 gallons) of JET A1. If you want more information and photos, you can contact SMA in France, and visit: http://www.safran-group.com/article.php3?id_article=1293&lang=en Distance: 670 NM. The leg wasn't a direct flight, due to crossing the Andes in VFR conditions in the valley. The lowest possible flight level to cross it is 140, and we crossed it at 150. Average speed: 134 Kts. We spent only 131 US dollars in JET fuel. This flight is not possible with a standard aspirated C-182, but in case we could, our AV gas expenses would have been 266 US dollars." There are about 30 182SMA flying in the world. So far we heard only excellent reports. posted at 6:45 PM Diamond DA42 diesel is on its way from Sweden to OshkoshMessage received from Martin Hakensson, of World Flight for Hearing in Sweden: "Just to let you know that we are currently doing the first flight around the world in a diesel engine aircraft (using a Diamond DA42 Twinstar). We are currently in The Bahamas, heading for Oshkosh." They should be there by now. I answered him asking for his airspeed and fuel flow, which is my key question to anyone flying a diesel for a long leg. posted at 6:41 PM |
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