Diesel in a 150
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 2
From: north of barlu
It will only be a matter of time before the C150/152 fleet gets a diesel engine retrofit .
The fleet is big enough to make the mod a good financial propostion but I see this as being 5 to 10 years away at the moment.
The fleet is big enough to make the mod a good financial propostion but I see this as being 5 to 10 years away at the moment.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: somewhere between Miami and Havana
I believe that Meridian in Bournemouth have installed a diesel into a cessna, either a 152 or 172 not sure, there was an article about it in one of the flying magazines. The diesel engine is more economical, but the cost of the installation was staggering.
Cheers
Buter
Cheers
Buter
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Merritt Island
it is the modification and re-certification process that's holding back widespread use of diesel engines but the advantages are clear; cheaper fuel, better consumption, less engine maintenance and no more mag drops. i've heard figures as high as $30,000 to convert a standard certified aircraft to diesel and that could be more than the aircraft's actually worth. As A&C says, it's still a long way off from being the norm unless you can afford that fabulous Diamond TwinStar!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
Only diesel approved for installation in Cessnas are the Thielert Centurions of Diamond fame as far as I know. They're STC'd in C172s, PA28s (up to 160 hp versions) and ofcourse installed in Diamond Stars. Meridian is distributor of these engines I believe.
Seriously, I think the thielert is a good deal. Besides new engine you also get a new prop and other stuff - basically firewall forward replacement. The real upside is the rather ridiculous fuel burn. I flew a Diamond Star at 100 knots on roughly 4 US gallons/hr - Jet A !
Compared to the SMA engine (Renault design) the cost is only half. The hp is also less but they're asking more than $80000 for the SMA replacement, compared the $40000 of the Thielert !!!
Don't know if there will be diesel for 152s but it IS the future for GA so I don't see how it could be otherwise in a few years.
Seriously, I think the thielert is a good deal. Besides new engine you also get a new prop and other stuff - basically firewall forward replacement. The real upside is the rather ridiculous fuel burn. I flew a Diamond Star at 100 knots on roughly 4 US gallons/hr - Jet A !
Compared to the SMA engine (Renault design) the cost is only half. The hp is also less but they're asking more than $80000 for the SMA replacement, compared the $40000 of the Thielert !!!
Don't know if there will be diesel for 152s but it IS the future for GA so I don't see how it could be otherwise in a few years.
