Engineered Propulsion Systems (EPS) expects to earn FAA-type certification and production certificate for the new Graflite V8 engine by the end of 2017, according to a recent announcement from SAE International.
The 4.3-liter, four-stroke diesel engine, rated in the 320- to 420-horsepower range, is expected to go into production in early 2018 and designed to be compatible with a number of rotary wing, single, and twin-engine aircraft.
“The EPS Graflight engine [was designed to be] unique to aero applications—incorporating advanced mechanical design, combustion technology and electronic control systems—as opposed to traditionally flawed approaches, which involves automotive conversions,” EPS Project Manager Tom Gelzow said. “This engine will offer dramatically reduced fuel consumption.”
The engine features reduced control inputs, now under a single power lever, and leaves propeller pitch, fuel mix, and engine temperature management to a dual-lane electronic engine control system (EECS) developed by Bosch General Aviation. The EECS can also monitor adverse engine conditions while providing needed maintenance warnings.
According to EPS, the engine will offer approximately 56 percent further range and 40 percent less cost over a comparatively rated Avgas-powered engine due to lower fuel burn and lower-cost diesel fuel. Additionally, the company said it is also the greenest engine developed for the general aviation market and can cut CO2 emissions by 30 and 17 percent over comparable engines.