Purdue Aviation Will Receive First Diesel Skyhawk JT-A

Purdue Aviation is set to receive the first jet-A-burning diesel Cessna Turbo Skyhawk JT-A, which it plans to take delivery of as soon as the airplane receives its FAA certification, expected later this year.

The Skyhawk JT-A is powered by a four-cylinder Continental CD-155 compression ignition engine mated to a three-blade MT Propeller composite prop. It comes standard with the new Garmin G1000 NXi avionics system.

“We are thrilled to integrate jet-A powerplant technology into the world’s leading flight trainer, and excited to offer a solution that brings unparalleled efficiency to customers like Purdue Aviation,” said Doug May, vice president, Piston Aircraft at Textron Aviation. “The Turbo Skyhawk JT-A is an example of our commitment to modernize the piston product line and bring innovative technologies to market, allowing operators around the world to meet changing environmental regulations, while benefiting from faster climbs, increased range and fuel savings.”

Purdue Aviation is a full service FBO at Purdue University Airport in West Lafayette, Indiana, that provides fuel sales, aircraft maintenance, flight training, aircraft rental and aircraft sales.

The JT-A sells for a premium over the gasoline-powered Cessna 172. Performance figures released by Textron Aviation list a max cruise speed of 134 ktas and a range of 855 nm, both improvements over the original Skyhawk.