We may be based in New Zealand but that certainly doesn’t confine our services to the North and South Island of the country. We recently sent a team of engineers up to the largest of the Cook Islands, Rarotonga, to complete a CD-155 Engine Upgrade on a Cessna 172L for Air Rarotonga. 

Air Rarotonga, The Airline of the Cook Islands, operate an inter-island scheduled throughout the Cook Islands and have recently celebrated 35 years of uninterrupted and accident-free services. Their fleet includes Saab 340, Embraer EMB110P1, Cessna 172 “Skyhawk”, and a Cessna Citation II Model 550.

Through word of mouth the management team heard of the CD-155 Engine Upgrade we provide for Cessna 172s and Piper PA28s and in July we sent a team of four engineers to Rarotonga to complete the conversion on Air Rarotonga’s Cessna.

We first sent engineers, Serun Sem, David McKnight and avionics engineer, Glen Curin, who began the process of removing the Lycoming spark ignition engine, modifying the fuel tanks, airframe and electrical system followed by the installation of the CD-155 compression ignition diesel engine. They were joined by our Hamilton Hangar Manager, Jesse Brosnan, for the final certification and 5-hour inspection.

Our CD-155 conversion service provides owners with numerous benefits not seen from other avgas fuelled engines. The primary benefit coming from the CD-155 engine running on Jet A1 or Diesel, both fuel sources are more widely available and cost effective when compared to Avgas. The engine also has a fuel burn is 38% more efficient.

For more on the benefits of the CD-155 Engine Upgrade.