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The information contained in these press releases and statements was accurate, in all material respects, at the time of issuance. However, Continental Aerospace Technologies GmbH assumes no obligation to update the information to reflect subsequent developments.
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Dec 23, 2004
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After 50.000 Flight hours: CENTURION 1.7 will fly like Lindbergh
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Lichtenstein, 23 December 2004 - For the past two years more and more pilots have decided for the innovative diesel/jet fuel aircraft engine CENTURION 1.7 from the Germany-based production line of 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. Therefore, TAE plans a record flight in 2005: the CENTURION 1.7 will fly the famous Charles Lindbergh route in half the time, being the first diesel aircraft ever! Additionally, TAE 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 DA 40, C 172 and PA 28 models more than 50,000 total flight hours have been logged. Only a few DA 40s had corrosion on the cylinder head which could have led to water damage. TAE has completed an investigation into the problem. The corrosion is electrochemical and is traced to the cooling system. Nevertheless, in-flight engine failures have not occurred. In order to offer quick and long-term assistance to all customers the manufacturer of the DA 40-TDI, austrian Diamond Aircraft Industries, will soon publish a Service Bulletin. Retrofits of the CENTURION 1.7 in the Cessna 172 and Piper PA28 are not affected, therefore, there will be no Service Bulletin for these aircraft.
In May 1927 Charles Lindbergh took off to succeed in the first transatlantic solo flight with a single-engine aircraft. As the next challenge in terms of reliability and cost effectiveness TAE is planning again a non-stop Atlantic crossing in 2005. TAE wants to retrace Charles Lindbergh's route with a single-engine Diamond DA40-TDI. TAE aims to complete the 5,800 km (3130 NM) flight from Long Island (New York, USA) to Le Bourget (Paris, France) in half the time that it took Lindbergh: in 16 hours and 30 minutes. To hop over the pond the efficient CENTURION 1.7 will take 300 litres for the amount of meagre 100 EUR operating cost. From every point of view it will be a historic flight of records: first solo flight in a single-engine diesel aircraft, flight with fewest fuel consumption, cheapest transatlantic passage!
TAE is constantly expanding the service network for their CENTURION engines. This year TAE has trained, audited and authorised 31 additional service centres. There are now more than 65 service centres in 20 countries. In the New Year TAE will be training new service centres, especially in the US. That way, TAE can guarantee service and support for their customers even before the first diesel aircraft are delivered in North America.
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