Soloy/SMA Diesel Cessna 182 Makes Epic Journey to Oshkosh

Demonstrating the performance and fuel efficiency of its SMA-powered compression-ignition Cessna 182 Skylane, Soloy Aviation Solutions flew nonstop to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from its home base in Olympia, Washington, a 1,485 nautical mile trip.

The SMA SR305-230E engine consumed 80 gallons of jet-A for the flight, crewed by Soloy pilot Tony Uhl and copiloted by Soloy chief engineer Steve Phoenix. The two climbed in the EASA-certified 182 to a VFR altitude of 17,500 and set the engine power to 60 percent. With a slight tailwind pushing them along, they showed a true airspeed ranging between 150 and 162 knots throughout the cruise portion of their nine-hour journey. Soloy noted that flight planning calculated the flight to Oshkosh should have taken eight hours and five minutes, but traffic delays on the arrival to AirVenture required spending more than an hour in a holding pattern before being given clearance to land.

Soloy is displaying the SMA-powered Skylane at AirVenture 2017 at Booth 16. The company is taking deposits and offering a discount on the STC conversion kit for initial buyers.