Is this Big Bore Diesel For Real?

EPS engine enters next phase of testing

Startup engine manufacturer EPS is in the process of testing the first pre-production version of its clean-sheet turbo-diesel Graflight 8 engine. EPS is hoping for certification in 2017, and the testing so far, the company says, is promising. The engine, which will be manufactured in the United States, will burn around 18 gph while producing 350 hp. That's a remarkable figure, as the Continental TSIO-550, which powers the Cirrus SR22 and Cessna TTx, produces only about 250 hp at that fuel burn at lean of peak operation. One can imagine the speed, range and cost savings incentives at different altitude and power settings. Not surprisingly, the possibilities are intriguing to airplane manufacturers as well. EPS says that it hosted Òa number of aircraft OEMsÓ during 2015, while also meeting with a number of military contractors interested in the technology. We'll keep you apprised on the progress at EMS during 2016.

A commercial pilot, editor-in-Chief Isabel Goyer has been flying for more than 40 years, with hundreds of different aircraft in her logbook and thousands of hours. An award-winning aviation writer, photographer and editor, Ms. Goyer led teams at Sport Pilot, Air Progress and Flying before coming to Plane & Pilot in 2015.

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