Piper Aircraft, Inc. and Continental Motors Group have collaborated to obtain a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificate for Piper Archer aircraft powered by the Centurion 2.0S diesel engine.

The prototype aircraft, which was test flown to obtain EASA approval, is on display at Piper’s Halle A4-121 exhibit April 9-12 during Aero Friedrichshafen, the global show for general aviation. Following the exhibition the Centurion-powered Piper Archer will begin a marketing and demonstration tour throughout Europe, including Germany, Spain, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

“This milestone development by Piper and Continental represents a continuation of Piper’s strategy to provide multiple fuel solutions for our customers,” said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. “This is the next step in ensuring that future Piper owners and operators have access to more economical and readily available fuel supplies, especially in Europe where traditional leaded avgas is hard to find and expensive.”

“Working together Continental and Piper Aircraft have taken the next step in proving the viability of Centurion 2.0S diesel powered Piper Archers,” said Technify Motors GmbH Managing Director and President Ken Suda. Technify Motors is the German operating unit of Continental Motors Group specialized in diesel propulsion systems like the Centurion.

Ground and flight tests on the Piper Archer, powered by a Centurion 155 horsepower Jet-A compression ignition engine, were conducted by the companies from Technify’s airport facility at Altenburg, Germany. Technify’s Centurion 2.0S engine is certified to use both Jet-A and diesel fuel and with the two fuels in any mixture ratio. The company has a long history with Piper aircraft. The first aircraft to fly with the Centurion 1.7 was a Piper Warrior which obtained the certification in 2001.

Caldecott said Piper is working to ensure its customers have more than one engine solution for various flight operating regimes and multiple platforms for various pilot training curriculums. The first deliveries of the Archer DX are expected to begin in Q1 of 2015 at a standard equipped price of $399,495. Piper’s aircraft platforms include, single, multi-engine, complex and standard entry-level trainers for a comprehensive range of global training requirements.

About the Piper Archer DX
Powered by the Centurion 2.0S diesel engine, the Archer can cruise at a speed of 114 ktas / 211 km/h (at 70% power) with only 5.8 gph / 22 lph fuel burn. The G1000 avionics system as standard instrumentation provides a great mix of low workload and high technology. The special flight school interior, and the aircraft overall, is well suited to stand up to the rigors associated with flight training. The Archer DX offers competitive operating economics with a proven airframe that is perfect for flight training organizations worldwide.

About Continental Motors Group
Continental Motors Group is an operating unit of AVIC International Holding Company. Its mission is to provide advanced gasoline and Jet-A engine products, spare parts, repair station services, and pilot training for the general aviation marketplace. Its operating units include Continental Motors, Inc., Technify Motors GmbH, Mattituck Services, Inc., and Zulu Flight Training, Inc. More information can be found at continentalmotors.aero/

Centurion is a leading brand for certified kerosene (diesel) piston aircraft engines for general aviation and has been part of the Continental Motors Group since July 2013. As far back as 2001, the manufacturer of Centurion engines became the first company in the world to receive type certification for its kerosene piston aircraft engines. Centurion pilots have a global network of more than 350 authorized service centers at their disposal. Altogether, the some 4000 plus Centurion engines delivered have to date successfully completed more than 4 million flight hours. More information can be found at centurion.aero.

About Piper Aircraft
Piper Aircraft Inc., headquartered in Vero Beach, Fla., offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single-engine and twin-engine aircraft. The single-engine M-Class series – the Meridian, Mirage and Matrix – offer businesses and individuals elegant performance and value. The Twin Class Seneca V and Seminole balance proven performance, efficiency and simplicity in twin-engine aircraft. The Trainer Class Archer TX, Arrow, Seminole and Seneca V aircraft form the most complete technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. All Piper airplanes feature advanced Garmin avionics in the cockpit. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

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Piper Aircraft, Inc.
For further information, contact:
Jackie Carlon
Phone: +1 (772) 299-2900
Cell Phone: +1(772) 559-5907
Fax: +1 (772) 978-6585
Mail to: Jackie.Carlon@piper.com