[Vwdiesel] DeltaHawk Diesel Engine

[Val Christian]

This month's copy of AMT (Aviation Maintenance Technology) mgagzine has
an article on Diesel Engines for Aircraft.  The DeltaHawk engine
(Lycoming IO-360 replacement) is features.  It's a V configuration
(vs. horizontally opposed) two stroke, four cylinder engine.  Configured
non-intercooled, it's rated at 160hp, and intercooled at 200hp.
The advantage of diesel powered aircraft engines is that they will 
use jet-A fuel, which is readily available, and not subject to the 
increasing issues that av gas is subject to.  It usually costs about
at least 30% less than avgas.

The article points out that a 275 hp Cummings runs at about 60hp cruising
on the highway.  They contrast an aircraft engine which may run at 80 
percent power most of it's life.  They obviously never drove a 1.5 NA
Jetta, in high headwinds, at 75 or 80 mph.

The piston crowns are SS, and the skirts are Al.  Also there is a SS fire
deck on the syl head, for the same reason.  

There is an injector pump for each cylinder, and injection occurs at 
20,000 psi.

The engine driven oil pump is external for servicing.  They caution against
SI oils, because lead scanvenging agents (av gas has tetraethyl lead in it)
are harmbul to the diesel engine.  The company is looking into approving 
synthetic oil.  Meanwhile, the oil change interval is 50 hours.

I didn't check the website, www.deltahawkengines.com

Val