Textron Aviation has expanded its diesel JT-A range to include the venerable Cessna 172.
The Turbo Skyhawk JT-A will join the Skylane JT-A with a product launch at Airventure, Oshkosh this week.
The Skyhawk JT-A is fitted with a Continental CD-155 diesel engine and is expected to be operated with Jet-A fuel. Cessna expects and increase in both range and speed over the avgas verson, with the maximum range of 1012 nm a 58% increase, and a top speed of 131 knots. Fuel burn is expected to reduce by 25%.
Joe Hepburn, Textron Aviation senior VP, Piston Aircraft, said the next aircraft was part of the company's commitment to alternative fuels.
“We’ve been working for a few years now to find new, reliable alternate fuel solutions for the Cessna Skyhawk to meet changing environmental regulations, particularly in Europe, as well as the limited global supply of currently used 100 low-lead gasoline, and technology has led us to the Turbo Skyhawk JT-A,” he said.
“The recent advances and growing maturity in diesel engine technology in the aviation market now give us the means to satisfy a growing demand around the world.”
Textron Aviation plans to offer the Turbo Skyhawk JT-A as a factory option beginning in 2015. The CD-155 is already certified by EASA for retrofit to newer Skyhawks under a supplemental type certificate.