G'day all,
Until recently, I was the SMA Field Support Rep. (Asia-Pacific Region) for their deisel concept engines running on Jet-A. The engine is a 4cyl turbo-charged direct injection 230HP engine, using approx. 36L/pHr, compared to a similar Horsepower engine using 54-60L/pHr. Maintenace costs were just under a half, and maintenance intervals were twice as long. The technology is there and available, with excellent benefits!! Its just that not too many people are willing to fork out the initial fitting and purchasing of the Kit costs, which can equate to approx. 3 times the basic overhaul cost of standard old engine.
For 2 years I had expressed the interest of a helicopter operator to SMA in France, that an STC should be made available for helicopters such as the 300Cb & R44. Unfortunately, the powers of above chose not to follow this path for several reasons, BUT that is not to say that it will not happen in the future....
Please PM me if you have any serious questions, or just post them here.
Cheers, KP