Where do I get info on the engine?   Jet-A1 or auto diesel?   What is the endurance of the Ecoflyer?   What is the performance of the Ecoflyer?   What is the climb performance compared to a 160hp Lyco?   What is the useful load of the Ecoflyer?   Why is the maximum take off weight limited to 980 kg?   Why does this aircraft seem to never stall?   What is the noise level of the Ecoflyer?   What is the operating cost per hour of the Ecoflyer?   What is the certified time life and the warranty?   What are the requirements to be an approved Thielert service center?   What are the certifying documents for the STC?   Why is the EASA STC in the name of Thielert? who actually owns the STC?   Is a retrofit available?   Would Apex offer a Remo with the Centurion 1.7?                       Where do I get info on the engine? On Thielert Aircraft Engines website: www.centurion-engines.com See chapters "Centurion 1.7", FAQ, Pro Rata Warranty. Also check the News and chapter "Centurion 1.7 OEM".         Jet-A1 or auto diesel? The Centurion is certified for both types of fuel with the same Thielert warranty (2400 hours or 12 years whichever first). Jet-A1 and auto diesel may be mixed in any proportion in the tank. The aircraft flight manual indicates minimum temperatures in the tank before take off: -30°C for Jet-A1 and -0°C for auto diesel. -35°C and -5°C during flight. Fuel circuit is designed to warm up the fuel in the tank while engine is running and temperature in the tank is shown is the instrument panel. For more details, see www.centurion-engines.com Centurion 1.7 FAQ Engine characteristics.         What is the endurance of the Ecoflyer? Five hours and a half with the standard 110 liters tank and eight hours with the supplementary optional tank. 20 liters/hour at 75% cruise. and 15 liters/hour in a typical training circuit, i.e. 7.3 and 11.3 hours endurance!         What is the performance of the Ecoflyer? At 72% power (power setting recommanded by the engine manufacturer), the true speed is 110 knots at sea level and 120 knots at FL100, with 20 liters. Max speed is 135 knots at FL60 with 29 liters per hour.         What is the climb performance compared to a 160hp Lyco? Please check our 2006/08/29 News for a testimonial of aeroclub de Savoie for very demonstrative results.         What is the useful load of the Ecoflyer? The mean empty weight is approx. 645 kg including the recommended avionics package. Maximum take off weight is limited to 980 kg (see FAQ on MTOW). The useful load is thus 335 kg. At same range (1135km), the Ecoflyer has a 247 kg payload while the Dauphin 120 has 255 kg and the Dauphin 160 has 287 kg. Take off distance is shorter, within 240 meters, while the Dauphin 120 needs 291 meters and the Dauphin 160 needs 294 meters. This is due to the long three bladed propeller and its variable pitch!         Why is the maximum take off weight limited to 980 kg? The certification rules says that the aircraft has to be able to climb at a minimum angle (8.3%) at maximum load. This safety rule is overly detrimental to this type of wing aspect ratio for take off and results in a relatively low mtow when compared with other aircraft. The structure would accept much higher weight! But, on the other hand, the Ecoflyer makes you feel so much safer when you realize you are well over 50' high when competition is still rolling on the tarmac!         Why does this aircraft seem to never stall? It does stall in the end but, due to the combination of the long three blade propeller, the computer regulation and the wing aerodynamics, the Ecoflyer will achieve high angles and go back to level flight without losing any altitude.         What is the noise level of the Ecoflyer? In the flyover test, 74db with no silencer (the turbo charger does a good job at silencing) The silencer currently in test will get it down to 69db! Inside the cabin, you'll find surprisingly low vibration and engine and propeller noise. Plus, Apex is providing standard a stereo audio panel with two music inputs and noise cancelling headsets.         What is the operating cost per hour of the Ecoflyer? On the basis of 50 hours per month, the operating cost is 99 euros par hour (20% vat included) compared to 113 euros for a Dauphin 120 and 131 euros for a Dauphin 160. This cost includes depreciation charge during 4 years, interest charges, fuel, maintenance, insurance and hangarage. Details are available at [email protected]         What is the certified time life and the warranty? The Centurion1.7 is subject to replacement (TBR), not overall (TBO). It presently has a 1000 hours certified time life to be extended to 2400 hours as experience grows. The Centurion 1.7 has a 2400 flight hours or 12 years warranty which ever comes first. During the warranty period and until the certified life limit is extended to 2400 hours, the engine has to be changed under warranty at the end of the certified time limit. The price paid for the new engine will then be pro rated: for example, for a 1000 hours exchange, the price will be 1000/2400th of the price list (approx. 8.000€ plus tax at 2006 price list). The warranty period will start again for 2400 flight hours or 12 years whichever comes first. Please ask for a warranty contract copy at [email protected] for more details.         What are the requirements to be an approved Thielert service center? All engine inspections must be carried out by a Thielert approved service center. Any work station may apply (not only Part 145) as long as they have a high quality standard. Requirements for approval are detailed on: www.centurion-engines.com         What are the certifying documents for the STC? EASA STC 01380 for TAE installation on Robin DR400 DGAC TCDS number 121 for DR400         Why is the EASA STC in the name of Thielert? who actually owns the STC? Apex Aircraft has actually designed, implemented and flight-tested the Centurion 1.7 on the DR400. Apex Aircraft actually owns the STC rights and is the only organization able to manufacture it. The reason why Apex Aircraft is paying TAE to endorse the first stage airworthiness responsability towards EASA as STC holder (not STC owner) is to demonstrate TAE's 100% approval of the installation to Apex's customers. This is first quality warranty when you are talking of an entirely new engine!         Is a retrofit available? The Centurion engine is presently available only on the Ecoflyer. Based on latest static tests analysis, future retrofits on other models of the range will require a new fuselage.         Would Apex offer a Remo with the Centurion 1.7? No. It's only a 135HP engine and the big torque will not make it a safe and economical towing aircraft in the usual working conditions (heat and grass fields): climbing to 500 meters above ground will take nearly twice the 180HP time and will "eat" all the benefit of the Jet A1. The future Centurion 230HP announced may 17th 2006 for 2008 will be the best choice ever for the DR500 President: future great ecofriendly tourer ...and exceptional Remo!