OSHKOSH - Cessna Aircraft Co has launched the Turbo Skyhawk JT-A, which will join the Turbo Skylane JT-A as the latest diesel powered platform in its single-engine product line up.
The Skyhawk JT-A is fitted with a Continental CD-155 diesel engine and is expected to offer a number of benefits in addition to operating with more widely available JET A fuel. Maximum range is 1,012 nm, a 58 percent increase over the standard Skyhawk, and maximum speed is increased to 131 knots while fuel burn is expected to see a 25 percent reduction.
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.
Like the Turbo Skyhawk JT-A, the Turbo Skylane JT-A features the Garmin G1000 avionics suite but offers greater speed and useful load. FAA certification of the diesel-powered Turbo Skylane JT-A using the Safran-made SMA SR305-230-1 engine is expected soon. Up to six Turbo Skylane JT-A marketing demonstrators will soon be stationed around the world and deliveries of the first production models are ready to begin upon certification.
The Turbo Skylane JT-A has a seating capacity for four and an estimated range at max cruise speed of 1,025 nautical miles. The certified ceiling will be 20,000 feet. The Garmin G1000 avionics suite is pilot-friendly and highly-functional, bringing great levels of situational awareness to the cockpit. The engine diagnostics are shown on the primary and multi-function flight displays. Fuel capacity is 85 useful gallons, with an estimated useful load of 1,000 pounds.