THIELERT AIRCRAFT ENGINES
Category: GA Buyer Europe Magazine
Author: GA NEWS
Thielert Aircraft Engines
Product Offensive
- Centurion Engine Approved for Further Aircraft
- Integration of the innovative 350 bhp aircraft engine into further popular aircraft such as the Cessna 414 and 206
- Output class covered: 230 bhp aircraft engine announced
- 111 service centres worldwide
- CEO Frank Thielert "We are pursuing our growth strategy by consistently expanding our product range."
Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, subsidiary of the public listed Thielert AG, obtained the supplemental type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to integrate its economical jet fuel piston engines into additional Piper PA28 series. Croatia and Australia have been added to the list of countries having validated the company’s existing aviation certifications. This marks a significant expansion of relevant markets for Thielert’s Centurion engines. These innovative engines have already clocked up over 200,000 accumulated flying hours.
Two years ago, Thielert successfully incorporated the Centurion 1.7 in the Piper PA28-161 as a rebuilt engine. Supplemental type certification for the Piper series PA28-140, -150, -160, -180 and -151 has now been added. To this end, the Piper PA28-160 and -180 were reduced in weight to 976 kg. The EASA as representative of its 27 member countries presented the certificates on May 23, 2006. "The Piper PA28 is one of the most popular aircraft in General Aviation, after the Cessna 172. With these new certifications we now cover almost all series of these two aircraft models", noted Frank Thielert, CEO and founder of Thielert Aircraft Engines. "The strategy of offering pre-assembled installation kits with our motors for used aircraft has been so successful for Cessnas and Pipers that we are going to start offering our kits for Robins in the near future", Thielert added. In total, the Centurion 1.7 has now been approved for more than 25 models of aircraft and is flown intensively. Since the series was launched three years ago, over 200,000 accumulated flying hours have been clocked up using this engine.
On May 2, the Croatian aviation authority had already approved the EASA certifications for the Centurion 1.7, its installation in the Cessna 172 and Robin DR400, as well as the supplemental type certification for the higher-performance Centurion 4.0. Additionally Australia´s aviation authority validated the above mentioned supplemental type certifications for Piper PA28 on May 24, 2006.
These economical diesel jet engines are installed into used aircraft at Thielert’s sales partners. And the company has news on this front as well: with the addition of Cabair, Thielert has acquired a new partner. Cabair will take on both service and sales tasks for the Centurion engines locally. The number of sales partners worldwide has thus increased to twelve.
Integration of the Centurion 4.0 into further popular aircraft such as the Cessna 206 and Cessna 414
Thielert aspires to new supplemental type certifications for the integration of its powerful 350 bhp Centurion 4.0 into several models built by the American aircraft manufacturer Cessna. The conversion to the fuel-efficient jet fuel engine is being offered for the single-engine Cessna 206 and the twin engine Cessna 340, 414 and 421. "The Cessna 206 and 414 are, as are the 340 and 421, widely used workhorses in General Aviation. We are catering to the request of numerous aviation companies of finally being able to refuel with standard aviation jet fuel/ kerosene. In conjunction with the low consumption, the direct running costs are also reduced by around 60 per cent," explains Frank Thielert. As with the Centurion 1.7 for the Cessna 172, Thielert will also be offering a pre-assembled Firewall-Forward-Kit, in which the engine is already integrated into the frame and connected to the peripherals. By fitting the Centurion 4.0, the Cessnas acquire a new attractive dimension compared with conventional engine configurations. The Thielert engine offers enhanced safety thanks to shorter take-off runs. The low consumption of, on average, 45 litres/hour per engine permits a longer range and optimised payload, and this at a higher cruising speed. The design of the engine pods for the twin-engine models is impressive with its aerodynamic efficiency and effective styling. It is not necessary to modify the cowling of the Cessna 206. Thanks to the lighter-weight propellers, converting the Cessna 414 to the jet fuel engine has virtually no impact on the weight.
Output class covered - 230 bhp aircraft engine announced
In General Aviation, engine-propelled aircraft are categorised into three output classes. They are equipped with engines that generate outputs of around 150 bhp, 230 bhp and 350 bhp. With its Centurion 1.7 and Centurion 4.0 jet fuel engines, Thielert already offers engines for the lower and upper output classes. Thielert has now announced that it is also looking to cover the middle output class. The new engine will go by the name of the Centurion 3.2. It generates over 230 bhp (172 kW) and, like all Thielert engines, will be based on the latest diesel technology and reliable automotive components. "The Centurion 3.2 will also be turbocharged and liquid cooled. In addition to the transfer box, the well-known fully electronic engine control system (FADEC) is to be used again, which permits user-friendly flying by means of single-lever controls," announces Frank Thielert. The development and certification of the Centurion 3.2 will ensue over the next 36 months, continues Thielert. The maiden flight is expected to take place in late-2007, with series production expected to start in 2009. The engine will be suitable for aircraft such as the highly popular Cessna 182.
111 service centres worldwide
The company has been pushing ahead with the further expansion of its international network of authorised service centres by training up technicians. Both service mechanics from aircraft manufacturers and independent service engineers have been trained at the engine plant in Lichtenstein/Saxony and at the new training centre at Superior Air Parts, Inc. in Dallas/Texas. These are now authorised to carry out services and warranty work on the Centurion engines. Aviation companies from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other countries in Europe have been incorporated into the worldwide service network on the basis of contracts. As such, the number of CENTURION service centres has risen within the space of one year from 60 in April 2005 to its present total of 111 in May 2006.
Two further distribution partners
Two further distribution partners for the Netherlands and Hungary have been acquired in the form of Vliegwerk Holland bv and Hungarian Aircraft Technology & Services Ltd. In their respective countries, these partners will now be looking after both the service side and also the distribution for the CENTURION engines. This sees the number of distribution partners representing Thielert worldwide rise to eleven.
For further information please visit – www.thielert.com
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