Cessna debuts Jet A fuel engine
July 26, 2012, 05:38 pm
Cessna Aircraft recently released a new single engine general aviation aircraft that will run on fuel.
The engine was shown off at the Experimental Aviation Association event AirVenture and is being used on Cessna's Model 182 Skylane, currently being marketed as the Turbo 182 NXT. The company said the engine will be available in the second quarter of 2013 and will cost $515,000, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Wichita Business Journal reported.
"Cessna's Turbo 182 NXT delivers a solution that the marketplace has been asking for," said Jeff Umscheid, Cessna 172, 182, 206 business leader. "The 230 horsepower Jet A engine offers customers increased range and greater payload capacity and does not sacrifice performance. This plane offers significantly lower direct operating costs due to the fact that Jet A fuel is typically more affordable and much more widely available."
The Turbo 182 NXT has undergone extensive testing of reliability and flight testing, and it is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Ealectrical Apparatus Service Association. The engine uses 11 gallons of fuel per hour, while utilizing the lower-cost Jet A fuel.
"Operators can now take advantage of the wider availability of Jet A with the potential to fly farther on one gallon of gas than you can with traditional avgas aircraft," Umscheid said. "This is a game-changer that opens up new markets and new regions of the world due to its versatility and performance."
The fuel eliminates environmental concerns, including carbon monoxide emission, fuel mixtures, propeller control and exhaust gas, and allows pilots to be more flexible when filling up at the pump. It operates at a lower propeller speed than traditional aircraft and therefore reduces noise pollution and has a quieter light line. The Turbo 182 NXT has no lead emission or carbon monoxide emissions. A flight at maximum cruising speed will have greater fuel efficiency compared to other planes. The Turbo 182 NXT will burn 30 to 40 percent less fuel.
The Turbo 182 NXT has seating for four and is estimated to have a maximum cruise speed of 1,160 nautical miles. It is equipped with the Garmin G1000 avionics suite, which features a high-resolution 15-inch multifunction display with two other 10-inch primary flight displays on each side.
Pilots will be able to travel further with the new Cessna engine and are therefore more in need of pilot life insurance to ensure their loved ones' financial safety along with their fuel efficiency.
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