Fri, Jul 27, 2012
CEO Thierry Hurtes Sees A Potentially Growing The Family Of Engines
By Anthony Liberatore
In a news conference at AirVenture on Tuesday, SMA CEO Thierry Hurtes announced Cessna Aircraft Company will be launch customer for SMA's SR305-230E Engine for the Cessna Turbo Skylane NXT aircraft. While that was breaking news by itself, there was more revealed in the news conference on the engine and the direction SMA maybe heading as the continue pursue the General Aviation marketplace. One of the design features of this direct drive Diesel of 230 shp is that it maintains constant power up to 10,000 ft. Another feature of this Single lever Control Engine is that in the rare event of a ECU (engine control unit) failure, the mechanical fuel supply system becomes directly controlled by the pilot in SMA's manual backup mode.
When asked about the marketing of the SR305-230E and if SMA would pursue a dual track of working with OEM's to integrate it into their production airframes as well as pursue the Engine Retrofit STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) marketplace Hurtes (pictured) said “The intention is to support the community through contracts like this one, with integrated cells with OEM's that's intention with our partners, this is what did with Cessna.” While going forward SMA will only focus on the OEM market, Hurtes noted they will fully support the existing SMA SR 305-230-1 that are in the field under a STC for Cessna 182's.
When asked it their would be growth variants based on this now proven architecture, that is potentially 2, 6 and 8 cylinder variants Hurtes said “It's obvious that a configuration of that kind you have the intention to grow the family, OK, well I have a brother and 2 kids so it is no more than that, (the audience responded with laughter). Speak about growing the family growing, growing, probably a more up than down, probably probably. Whether it is to provide more thrust with this one, which is possible, or to provide more thrust with an assortment of another, that is in our minds, the market will ask for it if necessary.”
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