Powerplant Developments, located in England but managed by former Superior Air Parts chief Tim Archer, will deliver a pre-certification 100-hp diesel engine to Tecnam, the Italian builder of light sport aircraft.
In addition to the Gemini 100, Powerplant Developments will also deliver two 125-hp Gemini 125 diesel engines. Both are two-stroke, six-cylinder engines. They are estimated to burn three to four gallons per hour. When in production, the Gemini 100 will cost $18,000, while the turbocharged Gemini 125 will cost $23,500.
Tecnam will test the engines on various models, including the recently introduced Eaglet for the trainer market.
The basic engine design can be expanded to 600 hp, and there already is interest from an undisclosed customer for a 360-hp variant of the Gemini.
The company hopes for a 2,000-hour time between overhaul and thinks that can be eventually expanded to 3,000 hours. There will be no interim expensive maintenance required at 300 and 600 hours, as is now the case with another diesel engine on the market. In addition, all parts of the engine can be reused for up to three engine overhauls.
Related Articles
