Continental Motors won certification of its CD-230 230-horsepower diesel engine in recent weeks and expects to be working with a “large and interesting” customer for the engine in 2016, the company said at EAA AirVenture.
Continental Motors chief Rhett Ross said he could not say more about the potential customer.
Certification of the CD-300 Jet-A Continental Diesel engine is in progress and is expected to be completed in late 2016 in Europe, with reciprocal certification by the FAA.
Continental Motors acquired Thielert/Technify in Germany and with it won a line of diesel engines. The CD-155 engine is now on the Piper DX Archer. Look for a full report on the DX in a future issue of AOPA Pilot.
Ross said Continental’s next task is to merge manufacturing technologies in Mobile, Alabama; Germany; and San Antonio, Texas. The goal is to assure the best processes are in use in all three places.
In addition, research is continuing in electronic engine controls, horsepower increases for existing and future engines, and “next generation” power sources, generally referred to as hybrid power. Hybrid power combines fuel-powered engines and electric power in one aircraft.
