• Tecnam has introduced a diesel version of the P Twenty-Ten. (Krzystof Niewiadomski)
    Tecnam has introduced a diesel version of the P Twenty-Ten. (Krzystof Niewiadomski)
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Tecnam last night announced they were adding a diesel engine option to their P Twenty-Ten range.

The P2010 TDI turbo-diesel will be added to the 180-hp and 215-hp avgas models of the four-seat high-wing.

Continental's new liquid-cooled and turbo-charged CD-170 engine has been chosen for the new model, offering 170 hp and Full-authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) systems.

The powerplant will give the P2010 TDI a 75% cruise of 127 KTAS at 6000 feet and a range of 1050 nm.

Speaking during an on-line launch event last night, Tecnam Mangaing Director Giovanni Pascale Langer said that his company believes the new model will satisfy market demands for aircraft that don't rely on avgas.

"This model will open [up] opportunities to an entirely new segment of customers," he said. "Many of them will experience our brand for the first time. Not only will it help Tecnam to offer a complete, modern and innovative range, but it will also help to expand the future growth of our organisation."

With several fuels being touted as future power sources for aviation, Tecnam says it believes diesel and jet fuel engines are currently leading the way.

"Engine development in general aviation has been stagnating for decades," Pascale Langer said. "As a consequence, operating costs have increased greatly due to unreasonable fuel consumption and antiquated technology.

"Diesel technology is paving the way as the new standard for general aviation."

Continental Aerospace's Director of Original Equipment Customers and Applications, Oliver Leber, said that the new CD-170 represented the pinnacle of diesel engine technology.

"The CD-170 is the highest power engine in its family," he explained. "The CD-100 family of engines are modern, in-line configuration, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled and turbo-charged diesel-cycle engines with advanced electronic engine controls, diagnostic capabilities with a single lever with simplified pilot operation.

"Certified to operate of globally available kerosine or diesel fuels, [the CD-170] provides P2010 TDI owners with ultimate flexibility and opens up possibilities around the globe.

"Not only is Jet-A fuel available around the world, [but also] the diesel-cycle's fuel economy reduces fuel consumption by up to 50%."

The CD-170 has a time-to-replacement (TBR) of 1200 hours, but Continental notes that other engines in the CD-100 family have had their TBRs increased to nearly 2000, and expects the same of the CD-170. The CD-170 is also predicted to have 25% maintenance events than avgas-fueled engines.

Tecnam believes there is a healthy market for the P2010 TDI, and has nominated flying schools as the primary target of the new model.

Deliveries of the first P2010 TDI are expected to occur in September or October this year.

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