All of the aero-engineering personnel who attended the UK’s first Civil Aviation Authority approved training course for the German manufactured Thielert’s Centurion 1.7 diesel aircraft engine, have passed.

It was the first course to be held at Bournemouth-based Meridian Aviation’s new demonstration and technical training centre. The company gained the UK, Ireland and Spanish distributorship for Thielert in May 2002.

Meridian Aviation’s engineering director Malcolm Craft says that other courses are scheduled for November 18 that fully meet the JAR66 requirements to enable engineers to become compliant on the first European-certified Centurion 1.7 diesel aero engines.

“The schedule of courses will enable engineers to work on the Centurions already fitted in the Diamond DA40 and the twin DA42,” said Craft. “The DA40 is the first production aircraft that is equipped with an engine of this type.”