Engine has clocked 50,000 in the fleet, new service centers to
be established
During the past two
years more and more pilots have chosen the innovative diesel/jet
fuel Centurion 1.7 aircraft engine Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH
(TAE). As of today, the engine is installed in over 300 aircraft.
During 50,000 accumulated flight hours the Centurion 1.7 has worked
in a cost-effective and reliable manner.
TAE has now announced plans for a record flight in 2005 -- the
Centurion 1.7 will attempt to become the first diesel engine to
power an aircraft on the famous Charles Lindbergh route in half the
time. The company also announced that it will open a training
center for technical service in the US.
At the end of 2004, more than 300 general aviation aircraft are
flying with the Centurion 1.7 diesel aircraft engine from TAE. The
engine has proven very efficient and reliable, particularly in the
Cessna 172 and Piper PA28 retrofits. In the Diamond DA-40, Cessna
172 and Piper PA-28 models, more than 50,000 total flight hours
have been logged.
Only a few DA-40's experienced corrosion on the cylinder head
which could have led to water damage. TAE has completed an
investigation into the problem. The corrosion is electrochemical in
nature and has been traced to the cooling system. Nevertheless, no
in-flight engine failures have occurred. In order to offer quick
and long-term assistance to all customers the manufacturer of the
DA-40-TDI, Diamond Aircraft Industries, will soon publish a Service
Bulletin. Retrofits of the Centurion 1.7 in the Cessna 172 and
Piper PA-28 are not affected, therefore, there will be no Service
Bulletin for these aircraft.
In May 1927, Charles Lindbergh successfully completed the first
transatlantic solo flight in a single-engine aircraft. As the next
challenge in terms of reliability and cost effectiveness, TAE is
planning a non-stop Atlantic crossing in 2005. TAE wants to retrace
Charles Lindbergh's route with a single-engine Diamond DA-40-TDI.
TAE aims to complete the 5,800 km (3,130 NM) flight from Long
Island (NY) to Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France in half the time
that it took Lindbergh, 16 hours and 30 minutes.
The Centurion 1.7 is expected to consume 300 liters, just over
79 gallons of fuel, on the flight, for an estimated cost of 290
Euros, or some US $390 at the current exchange rate. From every
point of view it should be a historic flight of records -- first
solo flight in a single-engine diesel aircraft and flight with
fewest fuel consumption on the transatlantic passage.
TAE is constantly expanding the service network for their
Centurion engines. This year TAE has trained, audited and
authorized 31 additional service centers. There are now more than
65 service centers in 20 countries. In the 2005, TAE will be
training new service centers, especially in the US. In this manner,
TAE plans to guarantee service and support for their customers even
before the first diesel aircraft are delivered in North
America.