Since production began eight years ago, Centurion diesel aircraft engines have logged more than 2.5 million flight hours.
“Approximately 1.5 million flight hours were logged by the Centurion 1.7,” said Jasper Wolffson, CEO of German-based Centurion Aircraft Engines. “Its market launch in 2002 was the catalyst for developing alternative propulsion systems for small aircraft and UAVs. The successor models Centurion 2.0 and Centurion 2.0s now being in series production have logged 1 million flight hours to date. Well over 3,000 Centurion engines have been delivered thus far.”
Centurion engines are known for their fuel efficiency and reliability, he noted, adding they were developed to be installable under existing cowlings without affecting weight. This allows them to be used on a wide range of manned and unmanned aircraft.
According to FAA data, in general aviation the in-flight shut down rate is one in every 10,000 hours. For Centurion engines the failure rate is more than 50% lower, according to company officials. The Centurion 2.0 is a improved version of the 1.7, offering a number of technological advancements, as the entire field experience gained with its predecessor was used in its development. The engine’s lifetime of 1,500 hours is 50% longer than that of the 1.7, and the lifetime of certain components, such as clutch and gearbox, has also been extended further, officials add.
“Centurion engines are future-proof in terms of both economical as environmental aspects, being able to use standard aviation fuels like Jet-A instead of having to rely on aviation gasoline (avgas),” explained Wolffson. “In addition to non-dependence on avgas, the many green benefits of Centurion engines include zero risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, zero lead emissions, and substantially lower nitrogen and hydrocarbon emissions than with avgas engines. Plus, Centurion engines are more fuel efficient across the board, as well as meeting strict noise ordinance requirements.”
For more information: Centurion.aero
