That would seem quite cool. As gas prices go up, more will be interested. I've considered the Thielert option for the Warrior but that's an HP downgrade. This would be an HP increase on an Arrow (I think).
Aviation consumer did a story recently saying people had been having some maintenance trouble with the Thielerts. There was no mention of the SMA though.
I find the idea of a diesel installation in an Arrow intriguing.
If there are a few of you Arrow drivers seriously interested,my company might be able to do all the work, including getting the STC, at cost. Also, we do own an Arrow II, which could be used as the test bed.
We have quite some experience in STC's for modifications, as we have obtained lots of them, both for the Power Flow exhausts and for the Laminar Flow Systems aerodynamic mods.No guarantee, but we probably would be the right people for the job.
Please see how much interest there is and contact me. I believe that the price being charged for the Cessna 182 engine and installation is in the region of $80,000... but it probably fluctuates with the value of the Euro.
I think that the deisel option is intriguing for a number of PA28 airframes. I would definitely be interested in looking at it when it is time to overhaul/replace the engine in My Archer II.
The deisel would also come with a constant speed prop. Since it would be FADEC controlled, there would only be one power lever which could easily work in an Archer or Cherokee as well. To me it is a much more appealing option than the MT Propeller STC for an electric constant speed prop.
If an STC could be done for an approved model list that includes PA28-180, PA28-181, PA28R-200, PA28-235, PA28-236 it would definitely appeal to a broader market. Since the airframes are essentially the same, I would assume they could all accommodate the same engine. I don't know if that is feasible or not, but it may be worth investigating.
Ron Huizenga PA28-181 1976 Archer II (C-GYAY)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2008 05:02PM by Ron Huizenga.
I'm not finding an SMA 230 hp diesel Arrow installation. I am, however, finding the 230 hp Mistral rotary gasoline engine installed in an Arrow which is currently undergoing certification. Is this what we're talking about? (I'm interested too.)
The French-built SR305-230 is currently flying in several testbed aircraft, including a Cessna 182, Maule MX-9, and Piper Arrow. SMA expects to have STC approval for installation in the Cessna by fall. Including engine, prop, new cowling, engine mount and instruments, the update will sell for $77,000. SMA predicts traditional Skylane speeds on just 9 gallons per hour of Jet A. Current TBO is 2000 hours, but the company plans to expand that to 3000 hours with a predicted overhaul cost of $20,000 to $25,000.
I would be quiet keen to do one
but living in NZ may make it difficult our civil aviation rules are tuffer than the USA
I'd be interested, as I'm sure would many others, in a Seneca II conversion to the 230hp diesel.
That would be a very darn useful aircraft with diesel engines. If the $/hr went down due to lower fuel consumption without losing the basic load and performance of the aircraft, I'd think a lot of cargo and charter operators would be interested in it. I know I'd be interested in it. Would certainly make it worthwhile to completely re-furbish a Seneca II/III for the long haul and lose the somewhat troublesome TSIO360's that it shares with the Turbo Arrow.
The Seneca II and up really hits a serious sweet point on the price performance curve. If you can keep the load, known-ice, performance and service ceiling of FL250 and reduce maintenance and fuel costs, man, that would be a big winner of a workhorse.
Sounds interesting indeed! I wonder what other changes are required, i.e. the fuel system. What about the starter...I would assume a diesel requires a much more potent starter than in an avgas motor. Does that mean a 28 volt system or can a 12 volt handle the starting power? The SMA web site says the rpm is 2200. If that is max rpm I suppose one needs a different propeller maybe? How about heater shrouds...I figure a diesel needs different muffler(s) so one would have to fabricate a different heater shroud. Interesting concept nevertheless...
The beauty to me would be the ability to use off highway deisel. It's generally 44cents less than whats at the pump. $2.85 is what I paid yesterday.
Should be a great thing once the bugs are gone and the power comes up. I have a buddy that flies a skyhawk with the therliert he perfers the power of a gas model. He says the diesel is kinda gutless.
Maybe in 20 years I'll own one, for the moment $50k to $80k buys me a good used bigger faster plane.
