Thielert Aircraft Engines (TAE) has received supplemental type certification (STC) for its Cessna 172 retrofit kit using its Centurion 1.7 diesel cycle engine in the USA, clearing the way for the German manufacturer to establish a base in North America.
The retrofit for the Cessna 172 and Piper PA-28, which is scheduled to receive an STC this month, includes all parts of the engine from the firewall forward, including coolers, electrics and mountings, says TAE. The company says it sees a market potential for more than 1,000 units a year, with airline pilot training schools the key market. TAE says: "Schools that train airline pilots are interested in lowering their costs and also using a training aircraft with jet-like handling qualities."
TAE has no distributor in North America at present, but says it is in active negotiations to establish a base in the USA.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
