Cessna has flown the first production configured Turbo Skylane 182 JT-A. The aircraft has the distinction of being the first modern single-engine aircraft powered by a piston engine specifically designed to run on Jet-A fuel.
“The Turbo Skylane JT-A performed just as expected,” said Cessna senior test pilot Dale Bleakney. “We flew for 2.3 hours, achieved a flight level of 8,000ft, and attained a true air speed of 158kt.”
Cessna’s Jeff Umscheid said the Turbo Skylane is the first aircraft powered by a diesel engine specifically designed for aviation.
“Operators will find many surprising advantages with the JT-A, and pilots will enjoy the lower workload. Add to this the benefit of being able to fuel it with a much cheaper, more available fuel anywhere in the world and it’s not difficult to see why the JT-A is in such demand.”
The Safran-made 227hp SMA engine in the Turbo Skylane JT-A is uses 42 liters per hour of the typically lower-cost Jet-A fuel at the estimated maximum cruise speed of 156kt. Flight at the maximum cruise speed demonstrates greater fuel efficiency, and it is expected to burn approximately 30 per cent to 40 per cent less fuel than comparable avgas engines.
The Turbo Skylane JT-A has a seating capacity for four and an estimated range at max cruise speed of 1,025nm (1,893km).
