Successful as OEM Supplier – Present on Emerging Markets
Lichtenstein – The Diesel aircraft engines of the Centurion series have still remained in great demand for installation in production aircraft also early in the year 2011. Shandong Bin Ao Aircraft, a Chinese manufacturer of light aircraft, ordered eleven engines for new planes at the beginning of the year. Additional ten engines from the Saxon engine manufacturer are delivered to the Austrian company Diamond. Thus Centurion has still several irons in the fire besides Finch Aircraft (Robin). By the engine delivery to China, Centurion has also become an active player in one of the key growth markets for General Aviation.
The Chinese market is considered a top prospect for future growth in the General Aviation industry. In the last months of 2010, the Chinese government initiated the process of opening low-altitude airspace. Additionally, a kerosene-based infrastructure on the ground has been in development for some time – meaning that diesel engines will be needed. The aircraft manufacturer Shandong Bin Ao, which builds the DA40 from Diamond Aircraft Industries as part of a joint venture, has been placing orders for Centurion diesel engines since 2009. The most recently ordered engines will be dispatched in the first quarter of 2011. Further engines will be delivered to aircraft manufacturers Diamond and Finch for the models DA40, DA42, and DR400 Ecoflyer respectively. This strengthens Centurion’s status as an OEM supplier as well as its standing in key growth markets.
The Centurion engines are manufactured by Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, for whom the insolvency administrator Dr. Bruno M. Kübler is currently searching for a new investor. Centurion Aircraft Engines AG & Co. KG – unaffected by insolvency proceedings – handles sales and service for the Centurion engines. The company will showcase aircraft, engines, and engine components at this year’s AERO tradeshow in Friedrichshafen, Germany (April 13–16, 2011, Booth A3-209) as well as at the AeroExpos in Bitburg and Sywell, United Kingdom. Additional appearances outside of Europe are also planned.
