Armed with new European certification, SMA's diesel engine is aiming at the large South American market for general aviation aircraft. The 230 hp turbo diesel is intended to retrofit Cessna 182s, Socata TB20s and Cirrus SR21s and enable them to use widely available, much cheaper JetA jet fuel.

SMA (here at Hall B, Booth 27) is owned by aerospace giants Snecma, Renault Sport and EADS (formerly Aerospatiale).

It is first aiming at Brazil and Argentina, and has just formed joint ventures there to retrofit the engines. Partners are Planestate Aircraft Ltda near Sao Paolo and NAT­ Nacional Aero Taxi Ltda in Rio de Janeiro, and Latina d´Aviation in Buenos Aires.