Fort Lauderdale, FL, February 20, 2014 –– Premier Aircraft Sales has announced that it is now offering its exclusive Premier Edition 172 upgrade program, which converts the Cessna Skyhawk’s legacy Lycoming engine to a new-generation, 135-horsepower Centurion 2.0 liquid-cooled and turbocharged diesel engine. The Premier Edition 172 also includes a Garmin G500 glass and GNS750 touch-screen GPS/COM/NAV avionics upgrade.
“We’re introducing the Premier Edition 172 to give our customers the opportunity to upgrade their 172’s with an advanced engine and avionics package that will improve the efficiency, value and safety of these popular aircraft,” stated Art Spengler, VP Operations, Premier Aircraft Sales, Inc. “This program is a direct response to what our customers have been asking for.”
Spengler explained that along with installing the zero-time, 135-horsepower, Centurion 2.0 turbo diesel engine with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), the upgrade also includes a new three-bladed, constant-speed MT composite propeller.
Spengler said that at 75% cruise power, the Centurion powered 172 will burn about 5.2 gallons of Jet A-1 per hour. The typical Lycoming-powered 172 will burn around 9.2 gph at the same power setting.
“While the Centurion 2.0’s ability to run on less-expensive Jet-A fuel is what everyone wants to focus on, the upgrade also gives owner/operators a number of other benefits, including a much easier-to-operate single lever FADEC system,” Spengler said. “Power, mixture and propeller settings are all done with one-lever. No more worring over fine power/fuel adjustments.”
Along with the new Centurion 2.0 engine, the Premier Edition 172 upgrade also includes:
• Three-bladed MT composite propeller
• Garmin G500 Electronic Flight Display
• Garmin GTN750 touch-screen GPS/COM/NAV
• Garmin GDL88 ADS-B receiver with weather and traffic
• Fresh annual inspection
• Full airframe, Corrosion X, anti-corrosion application
• New exterior trim package
• Two-year factory warranty from Centurion/Continental and Garmin
• A list of custom options including air conditioning, AmSafe Airbag Seat Restraints and Microaerodynamic Vortex generators
• And more.
“Another huge advantage of the Premier Edition 172 is that it amazingly smooth and quiet – actually 24% quieter compared to a Lycoming-powered aircraft,” Spengler said. “The smoothness of the engine not only makes the cabin more comfortable and quiet, it also puts much less strain on the avionics and airframe. It makes a really good airplane into a truly great personal traveling machine.”
The advanced design of the Centurion 2.0, jet fuel, turbo diesel engine introduces a number of technological and performance advancements to Cessna 172 owners including:
• FADEC-managed electronic ignition to eliminate hot starts and monitors engine operations.
• No lead and much lower nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbon emissions make for “greener” flying.
• Qualitative mixture control: Only the desired amount of fuel is injected – the engine always operates at the optimal mixture. By design, a diesel engine cannot be destroyed by lean run.
• Self Sparking: No danger of uncontrolled detonation, since fuel is not introduced into the cylinder until the optimal moment of combustion.
• Centurion engines are extremely robust. There are currently over 3,500 Centurion engines in operation around the world totaling more than 3.7 million flight hours.
Spengler also stressed that while the company will be offering the Premier Edition 172 upgrade to owner/operators around the world, all of the conversions will be done at the Premier Aircraft Service facility at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE).
“As a leading Centurion Master Service Center and an Authorized Cessna Service Center, few companies have the combined experience with both the 172 airframe and the Centurion engines that we have,” he said. “We know the Centurion engine, we know the 172 and we know that together, they’re a combination that will be hard to beat.”
“We had not officially announced the program and the response from the market has already been phenomenal. We’re receiving inquiries from around the world,” Spengler said. “One of the first calls I received was from a flight school in the Caribbean. They are paying $9 a gallon for Avgas there and Jet A-1 is available for just over $4 a gallon. When you add in the fact that the Centurion engine burns about half the fuel, their fuel costs are likely to be reduced by around 55%. That’s huge.”
“Multiply that by the hours a busy flight school/aerial tour operator sees in a month and you’re going to see huge yearly savings on fuel alone,” he said. “With savings like that, the Premier Edition 172 upgrade will literally pay for itself in just a couple of years.”
For more information on the Premier Edition 172 upgrade, please email: [email protected] or call: 954.610.4144
About Centurion Engines
Centurion is the 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 3,500 plus Centurion engines delivered have to date successfully completed more than 3.7 million flight hours. More information can be found at www.centurion.aero.
About Premier Aircraft Sales, Inc.
Premier Aircraft Sales is the leading distributor of Diamond Aircraft in the U.S. Premier also maintains a large inventory of pre-owned Beechcraft, Cessna, Cirrus, Diamond, Mooney, Pilatus, Piper and TBM aircraft. In addition, it is an Authorized Service Center for Cessna, Diamond and Mooney aircraft, as well as Centurion, Continental and Lycoming engines. Premier is the sole distributor of the “Premier Edition” Centurion turbo diesel engine upgrade for the Cessna 172 and the “Premier Edition” luxury and performance upgrade for the Diamond DA40. The company is also the sole distributor for CabinCoolä aftermarket air conditioning for the DA40 and Mooney Air Conditioning. Premier is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For more information and current inventory, visit their website: www.flypas.com or call: 800.903.8402.
