Superior Air Parts Gemini Diesel 100 Explained

The Superior Air Parts Gemini Diesel 100 is a diesel aircraft engine, under development by Superior Air Parts of Coppell, Texas, United States for use in homebuilt aircraft.^[1]

The company is owned by the Chinese company Superior Aviation Beijing, which is 60% owned by Chairman Cheng Shenzong and 40% owned by Beijing E-Town, an economic development agency of the municipal government of Beijing.

Design and development

The Gemini Diesel 100 is a three-cylinder two-stroke, in-line, supercharged liquid-cooled, diesel engine design. It produces 1000NaN0, with a helical gear mechanical gearbox reduction drive with a reduction ratio of 1.586:1.^{[1] [2] [3]}

The engine design uses an opposed-piston engine, with "two-opposing-pistons-per-cylinder", based upon the Second World War 6-cylinder, 12-piston Junkers Jumo 205 engine concept.^[3]

The engine was originally developed by UK based Powerplant Developments, who flew development engines for more than 10,000 hours. Superior acquired the company in 2015.^{[4] [5]}

The engine will not be type certified and is therefore intended for homebuilt and light-sport aircraft.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, pages 262-263. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.
2. Web site: Gemini Diesel 100. 17 April 2018. Superior Air Parts. geminidiesel.aero . 2015.
3. Web site: Gemini uniflow diesel engine. 17 April 2018. Superior Air Parts. geminidiesel.aero . 2015.
4. Thomas B Haines; "Superior Introduces Diesel Gemini Meant for LSA Market", AOPA, 21 April 2015. (retrieved 27 July 2021)
5. https://www.aviationpros.com/engines-components/aircraft-engines/piston-engines-parts/press-release/12067608/the-superior-aviation-group-superior-aviation-group-has-acquired-the-gemini-diesel-engine Superior Aviation Group has Acquired the Gemini Diesel Engine