Centurion FAQ with kibbitzing

1. What is the difference between the CENTURION 1.7 and the TAE
125?


These are the same engines. The TAE 125 is the model of the engine
certified and found on the data plate. The CENTURION 1.7 is the brand
name of the engine.

2. What kind of fuel do the CENTURION 1.7 and CENTURION 4.0 engines
use?

The CENTURION 1.7 is approved for automotive diesel and jet fuel
(kerosene) in any mixture ratio in Europe. For the U.S.A. only jet fuel
is certified. The CENTURION 4.0 is certified for jet fuel only.

3. Can the engine also operate on avgas?


No, this is a diesel cycle engine and only diesel or jet fuel can be
used.



4. Can bio-diesel be used in the CENTURION 1.7?
top



No, bio-diesel is not approved.



5. Is there special or specific oil approved for the engine?

The approved oil for the CENTURION 1.7 is: Shell Helix Ultra 5W30 and
5W40 as well as AeroShell Oil Diesel 10W40. Gear oil is Shell EP75W90
API GL-4.



6. What types of accessories come with the CENTURION engines?

The engines are standard equipped with every accessory necessary for
normal operation of the engine. Some of the accessories include: ·
FADEC system and harness · alternator and belt · starter ·
turbocharger · vacuum pump · prop governor · single lever control.



7. Is the CENTURION 1.7 available in 12-volt and 24-volt
configurations?
top



The CENTURION 1.7 is currently configured with a 12-volt system.
Additionally we offer a 24-volt configuration. The 24-volt
configuration will have 1,650 EUR additional costs.



8. Are the CENTURION engines liquid or air-cooled?
top



All CENTURION engines are liquid-cooled.



9. What type of coolant is used and is it commercially available?



The coolant liquid to be used for the CENTURION 1.7 is readily
available as an off the shelf anti freeze: Use a 1:1 ratio of:
Distilled Water and Antifreeze (Zerex G 48).



10. Are CENTURIONs a direct driven engines?



No, all CENTURION engines are geared engines. In case of prop strike, a
costly shock-loading inspection of the engine is not necessary. Only
the propeller needs a repair and the gearbox has to be inspected. The
CENTURION 1.7 as well as the CENTURION 4.0 have a combined system of
torsional vibration damper and a safety clutch. It decouples the
propeller from the core engine.



11. Is a reduction gearbox really necessary?


Yes; it is necessary to reduce the speed of the engine and decouple the
vibrations between the engine and the propeller. This enables both the
engine and propeller to work together efficiently.



12. Can I use my existing engine mount when I retrofit with the
CENTURION 1.7?
top



No, the CENTURION 1.7 requires a mount specifically designed for the
engine and airframe.



13. What is the dry weight of the CENTURION 1.7?
top



Engine including accessories (harness, FADEC, starter, alternator,
turbocharger etc.) 259.00 lbs.
Gearbox Assembly 36.41 lbs.
Total Dry Weight 295.41 lbs.



14. How does this compare with the weight of the normally aspirated
160HP engine currently in the Cessna 172 and Piper PA28?
top



Depending upon application, the total installed weight with a CENTURION
1.7 is 66 pounds heavier than the conventional normally aspirated 180HP
engine in Cessna 172 R or compared to normally aspirated 160HP engine
in Piper PA28.



15. What RPM does the engine turn and what speed does the propeller
turn?
top



The reduction ratio of the gearbox is 1.69:1. The engine speed is 3,900
RPM and the propeller speed is 2,300 RPM.



16. Does the engine meet all the necessary noise requirements and
are there any plans to increase the propeller RPM?
top



The CENTURION engines comply with all existing noise regulations. The
current propeller RPM is desired for increased efficiency and lower
noise. There are no plans to increase the propeller RPM.



17. Can both a fixed-pitch and a constant-speed propeller be used
with the engine?
top



Only a constant speed propeller can be used in combination with the
turbocharged and FADEC controlled CENTURION engines.



18. What propeller is recommended for the engine?

The approved propeller for the CENTURION 1.7 is the MT 3-blade
propeller. MTV-6-A/187-129.



19. Can I use a Hartzell or McCauley propeller?

Non of these propellers are currently approved for use with the
CENTURION 1.7.


20. What type of fuel control system does the engine use?

A single lever, common rail, direct injected fuel system managed by a
FADEC system.



21. Is this an automotive-based engine?

TAE uses automotive engine parts of one of the most technologically
advanced automotive diesel cycle engines available today.



22. Historically, automotive engines have not been successful in
the aviation industry. What is different about the CENTURION 1.7?
top



In addition to their proverbial reliability, diesel cycle engines based
on automotive components offer definite advantages for the application
in aviation:



1. Qualitative mixture control: Only the desired amount of fuel is
injected - the engine always operates at the optimal mixture. By
design, a diesel cycle engine cannot operate too lean.



2. Self sparking: No danger of detonation, since fuel is not introduced
until the desired moment of combustion.



3. Diesel cycle engines are extremely robust. As a result of their
combustion process, the peak combustion chamber pressure is extremely
high even at partial load. As opposed to a gasoline engine, the diesel
cycle engine is designed for continous high stress, making it suitable
for aviation applications.