Companies have huge investments in current technology and anything that requires retooling plants will also affect all of their suppliers for parts and support. That investment causes feet of clay in board rooms especially when profits are just coming back, which makes getting an OEM to build serial #1 difficult.

Check out the Diamond Aircraft DA-42 diesel twin at:

http://www.diamond-air.at/da42ng+M52087573ab0.html

Diamond used to use the Thielert engine until Thielert went bankrupt a couple years ago ... the new DA-42 twin now comes with 2.0L turbo Austro engines, and was just certified earlier this year.

Considering that they're asking under a mil for a new certificated twin, that's pretty impressive. And the diesel fuel economy is also pretty impressive, with just over 5 gph per engine with a 152-kt cruise.

I have been driving TDI Diesels for years. The first one I got was before the TDI engine came out. It was Ok on fuel, the newer TDIs are incredible. I have two of them (a 2000 Jetta and a 2001 New Beetle). I would like to get one of the newest ones, but mine have a long way to go until they are worn out.

I think it would be wise for us aviators to start moving toward diesel technology for conversions of our GA planes at repower. This would certainly help deal witht the 100 LL replacement issue and JetA is already available at lots of airports. These engines will run on lots of different types of petroleum and veg/seed oils too.

Just found this http://www.smaengines.com/spip.php?rubrique2&lang=en

D.

dirtstrip wrote:Here's what the Chinese actually got. President of TCM at Oshkosh talking about the new diesel engines from TCM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_nUPwSIhy0

I am showing up late to the party here, but I think it is funny what he says at 7:40 in the interview.

Rhett Ross wrote:"America, if we are not stupid enough to give up our preeminence in aviation manufacturing, has a great opportunity to be the lead exporter of piston aviation aircraft into new international markets"

Way to go TCM, helping Americhina be the lead exporter in piston aircraft.

Just found this http://www.smaengines.com/spip.php?rubrique2&lang=en

Yeah! That's what I want in a 182 on floats. I better pick up a lottery ticket.

I've loved diesel cars since I owned a 79 Toronado wit a 5.7. Yea, I know, everyone says they were dogs but I sold mine with 300K on the engine and it was the best road car I ever had. Plus it got 32 MPG doing it. My current daily driver is a 99 Jetta TDI and I love it. The newer ones are a little heaver and have more emission stuff but still get around 45 MPG. My 99 gets 49/45 and I'm almost to 200K. I have a 90 Jetta (Old School Diesel) that's running 30 lbs of boost and hauls butt, it only gets about 36/mpg but it's fun.

I figured it out the other day and I should be able to drive from Provo, Utah all the way down Baja for $107 in my Jetta. Everyone needs one of these cars!

I think I have already mentioned it but I bought plans for a Ragwing Storch. I want to adapt a VW TDI into it. I should be able to make it work since the originals had a watercooled inverted V8. That project is a ways down the road now but I'm still hopeing.

Here is a couple of European sites that produce Diesel Aircraft engines. One is a 1.4 Ford and the other uses a Mercedes Smart Car 3 cyl.

http://www.ecofly.de/english.htm

http://www.eco-motors.com/

I need to bump this one too. There has been an accidental leap forward for the MYT Engine development also. They are moving forward on their 6 inch compact engine. This one has been in my sights since its first public demonstration. Lack of funds for production facilities won't be the bottleneck it was.

http://pesn.com/2010/04/08/9501634_MYT_ ... tion_soon/

More info here

http://fuel-efficient-vehicles.org/ener ... age_id=908