Friedrichshafen, Germany on April 9, 2014 – The collaboration of Piper Aircraft, Inc. and Continental Motors Group (CMG)obtained on April 1, 2014the Supplemental Type Certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency for Piper Archer aircraft powered by the Centurion 2.0s (C2.0s) diesel engine. The companies have completed all development and flight test work.The prototype aircraft is on display at Piper’s hallA4-121 exhibit April 9-12 during Aero Friedrichshafen. Following the exhibition the C2.0s powered Piper Archer will begin a marketing and demonstration tour throughout Europe, including Germany, Spain, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Powered by the C2.0s diesel engine supplied by the Technify Motors GmbH (TMG) division of CMG, the Archer can cruise at a speed of 115ktas (211 km/h) at 4000 ft with only 5.8 gph (22 l/h) fuel burn vs. 9.5 gph (36l/h) of the gasoline engine powered version of the aircraft. The engine, combined with the G1000 avionics system that will be standard instrumentation provides a great mix of low workload and high technology for the pilot. Configured with a special flight school interior, the aircraft, overall, is well suited to stand up to the rigors associated with flight training. Further, the Archer DX offers competitive operating economics with a proven airframe that is perfect for flight training organizations worldwide.
“This milestone development by Piper and Continental represents a continuation of Piper’s strategy to provide multiple fuel solutions for our customers,” said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. “This is the next step in ensuring that future Piper owners and operators have access to more economical and readily available fuel supplies, especially in Europe where traditional leaded avgas is hard to find and expensive.”
"Working together, Continental and Piper Aircraft have taken the next step in proving the viability of the C2.0s diesel powered Piper Archer,” said Technify Motors GmbH Managing Director and President Ken Suda. “We look forward to the adoption of this product as a standard for efficiency and economy in the flight training market,” he went on to say.
Ground and flight tests on the Piper Archer, using the C2.0s, a 155 horsepower Jet-A compression ignition engine, were conducted by the companies from TMG’sairport facility at Altenburg, Germany. TheC2.0s engine is certified to use both Jet-A and diesel fuel orwith the two fuels in any mixture ratio. The company has a long history with Piper aircraft. The first aircraft to fly with the Centurion engine was a Piper Warrior thatobtained certification in 2001.
Piper is working to ensure its customers have more than one engine solution for various flight operating regimes and multiple platforms for various pilot training curriculums. The first deliveries of the Archer DX are expected to begin in Q1 of 2015 at a standard equipped price of $399,495.
-
Piper Aircraft Inc., headquartered in Vero Beach, FL, offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single-engine and twin-engine aircraft. The single-engine M-Class series – the Meridian, Mirage and Matrix – offer businesses and individuals elegant performance and value.The Twin Class Seneca V and Seminole balance proven performance, efficiency and simplicity in twin-engine aircraft. The Trainer Class Archer TX, Arrow, Seminole and Seneca V aircraft form the most complete technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. All Piper airplanes feature advanced Garmin avionics in the cockpit. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
Continental Motors Group is an operating unit of AVIC International Holding Company. Its mission is to provide advanced gasoline and Jet-A engine products, spare parts, repair station services, and pilot training for the general aviation marketplace. Its operating units include Continental Motors, Inc., Continental Motors Beijing, Ltd., Technify Motors GmbH, Mattituck Services, Inc., and Zulu Flight Training, Inc. More information can be found at continentalmotors.aero.
Technify Motors GmbH is the leading producer for certified jet fuel (diesel) piston aircraft engines for general aviation, and has been part of the Continental Motors Group since July 2013. Technify Motors GmbH have a global network of more than 350 authorized service centers to support worldwide customers. Altogether, 4,000 plus Centurion engines delivered to date have successfully completed more than 4 million flight hours. More information can be found at www.centurion.aero.
-
Continental Motors Group
Sebastian Wentzler
T +49-37204-6961250
C +49-173-6603347
E swentzler@continentalmotors.aero
Robin Tillery
T +1-251-436-8621
C +1-251-753-0237
E rtillery@continentalmotors.aero
Piper Aircraft
Jackie Carlon
T +1-772-299-2900
C +1-772-978-6585
E Jackie.Carlon@piper.com
