18 April 2024
+VIDEO Continental has launched a version of its Jet-A fuelled CD-170 piston engine adapted for rotary aircraft, such as helicopters and gyrocopters.
The CD-170R was revealed at this week’s AERO Friedrichshafen and has already started certification with EASA.
The 170-horsepower, turbocharged engine combines Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) which gives lower fuel consumption and dual redundancy, said Continental.
“While fuel consumption is application-based, this four-cylinder model is expected to conservatively burn approximately 7.9 gallons of Jet-A1 per hour when in cruise,” said a statement.
“Similar to its predecessors, the CD-170R will debut with a Time Between Replacement (TBR) of 1200 hours and will increase with time in service.”
As a rotorcraft-specific powerplant, the CD-170R does not have an attached gearbox, making it lighter by 37 pounds.
Dr David Dörner, vice president of Continental’s R&D, said, “We are incredibly proud to expand Continental’s engine line to include a rotorcraft-specific Heavy Fuel Engine. This is a major innovation milestone in Continental’s history that will allow us to serve even more pilots and operators in the general aviation industry.
“Transforming the pilot experience, the CD-170R was engineered with the pilot’s needs at the forefront. Controlled via FADEC with rotorcraft-specific software mapping, pilots can now direct their focus toward the critical phases of flight and mission, alleviating the need to manage both the throttle and the collective simultaneously.”
