Company Hopes To Enter The OEM Market Next Year

By Gene Yarbrough

The SMA SR305-230E diesel engine for general aviation, developing 230 shaft horsepower (SHP), was certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on January 24, 2011. The SR305-230E logged 4,000 hours of ground and flight testing for this certification program. Based on the results of these tests, SMA guarantees Time Between Overhauls (TBO) of 2,000 hours, plus excellent dispatch reliability right from service entry, which is scheduled for early 2012. “SMA is delighted with the announcement by the European Aviation Safety Agency. This success represents a major step forwards for this engine program,” said Thierry Hurtes, chairman & CEO of SMA. The engine received FAA certifcation in April, according to SMA spokeswoman Alexia Perrinet.

The SR305-230E diesel engine uses widely available Jet A fuel, which means that customers are no longer subject to the cost and availability restrictions of Avgas, and it offers performance fully equivalent to the best gas-powered engines in this power class now on the market. With the SR305-230E, SMA clearly marks its commitment to the continuous improvement of diesel aircraft engines, in particular with unprecedented fuel savings of 50% in relation to gas-powered engines. The design of the SR305-230E also eliminates all lead emissions and ensures a low level of carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions.

SMA has several engines in field trials in aircraft from Cessna and Maule and has enjoyed successful operation going on 6 years, according to Hurtes. Hurtes said the company is developing mass production tooling and expects to be ready to provide powerplants to OEM producers for large scale production by the end of 2012.

FMI: www.smaengines.com