By Fabrice Morlon
In place of the original Lycoming, two RV builders and RV supremo Robin Coss, supported by engine manufacturer Continental, installed a CD-155 diesel engine on a Van’s RV-9. Their aim was to counter the gradual disappearance of Avgas 100LL.
This project was a godsend for Continental, who presented the aircraft at Aero 2025 in Friedrichshafen after it was flown to England from South Africa.
South Africans Dennis Parker and Gordon Bramire assembled a Van’s RV-9 kit with the aim of replacing the original Lycoming with a Continental CD-155 diesel. The diesel powered RV made the journey from South Africa to the AERO expo in Friedrichshafen where it was on display at Continental Aerospace Technologies.
“ZU-IXF, our Continental CD-155-powered RV-9A, took to the skies in Cape Town in January 2023,” explains Dennis Parker, who continues: “Gordon Blamire, my business partner, has extensive experience flying Continental diesel engines with Piper PA-28s at the flying school, and we have both flown RV-7 and RV-9 variants with Lycomings. It was Gordon’s idea in 2017 to combine the Continental engine with the RV-9.”
The two builders started from the idea that the Jet-A1 is available almost everywhere, whereas the Avgas 100LL will be less and less so. They visited Continental’s centre in Germany to adapt the engine to the RV-9.
The disadvantage of the Continental engine is its weight. It weighs 38.5 kg more than a Lycoming O-320 and, to keep the centre of gravity within limits, the battery and some of the avionics had to be moved rearwards.
The result has exceeded expectations. “The RV-9 climbs at 1,400 fpm and cruises at 163 kts at 10,000 ft, burning 7.8 US gallons per hour (26.4 l/h). At 75% power, we see 154 knots burning 6 US gph (22.6 l/h),” Dennis Parker says.
Supported by the engine manufacturer, their next project will be to mount a Continental CD-170 on an RV-14.
In addition to showcasing the Jet-A CD-155 that has been integrated into the Van’s RV-9, Continental is currently commemorating its 120th anniversary, a significant milestone that represents more than a century of powering legacies forward.
Continental has also expanded its training programme to include local Avgas educational opportunities in South Africa as part of its dedication to customers. Level 1 and Level 2 engine courses will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, later this year.
In order to guarantee that mechanics and operators in the area have Avgas and Jet-A piston engine guidance, Continental also has a Territory Support Representative in South Africa. Marius Voges brings years of general aviation experience and is available to support customers via phone +27 66 299 1012 and email mvoges@continental.aero.
To learn more about the CD-155 engine and Continental’s advanced training program, visit www.continental.aero
To learn more about integrating the CD-155 into your RV-9, visit https://rv9d.com/