Acquisition Of Superior Air Parts Benefits Both
Companies
During a ceremony at Superior's display tent at AirVenture
2006 this week, Frank Thielert, Managing Director of Thielert
Aircraft Engines GmbH, officially presented the first Centurion 1.7
equipped C-172 to American Flyers' President Clark McCormack and
David Huser and Rick Freidinger, Vice-Presidents. The aircraft will
be used for training at their Pompano Beach, FL facility.
When asked, McCormack said they have plans to convert their 55
aircraft fleet of C-172s "if things work out the way we hope."
Epic aviation of New Smyrna Beach, FL performed the conversion
under the STC awarded to Thielert in January of 2005. Tony Perna of
Epic says they stand ready to complete other customer conversions
"immediately." The conversion takes "about two weeks" according to
Thielert.
"In Europe we reach cost amortization after 670 hours of engine
operation. In the US we expect that to remain below 1000 hours,"
said Thielert. Higher fuel prices in Europe speed along that
amortization.
The Centurion 1.7 is an inline 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel
cycle engine displacing 1.7 liters (104 cubic inches) producing 135
hp.
Impact Of Acquisition Of Superior Air Parts
When Thielert AG
announced earlier this year that they were acquiring Superior Air
Parts, Frank Thielert had made a promise that there would be no
changes in management at Superior.
Sure enough, that has not happened... but something has changed,
according to Superior's Tim Archer -- and that is how fast Superior
can bring product to market.
While there were fears within among some of Superior's
suppliers, but the acquisition was not meant to eliminate them nor
replace them by in-sourcing. But the company is committed to
producing quality and to make that quality repeatable.
To put their money where their mouth is, Superior is offering a
three-year money back guarantee on ALL Superior Cylinders, "no
questions asked," said Tim. Superior is the first in the industry
to do this.
On March 17th, Superior announced the concept of the XP-400
engine. In the span of time between March 17th and now, Superior
has produced a running engine. Deliveries of the XP-400 are slated
for August... but that's not all.
At AirVenture 2006, Superior also announced the company is
getting back to its roots and getting back into racing. They have
teamed up with the Unleashed Aircraft Race Team.
Frank Thielert was also quick to add that Superior would be
remaining independent and that they will still be manufacturing PMA
parts. The emphasis will be on quality, safety and value to the
customer. All parts will be made in the United States and Germany
only. The company is not even looking for manufacturing plants
anywhere else.
Thielert says they're at Oshkosh this week to get customer
feedback. It will be interesting to see what the new engines can
do.