ANN Flies The Deltahawk Diesel | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.12.25

Airborne-NextGen-05.06.25

AirborneUnlimited-05.07.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-05.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-05.09.25

Wed, Mar 13, 2024

ANN Flies The Deltahawk Diesel

Recent Trip Covered A Total Of 818 Nm, At An Average 148 Kts True Airspeed And A Total Fuel Burn Of 45 Gallons Of Jet A

ANN had an exceptional opportunity this week, with a chance to get a little operational experience flying an aircraft equipped with the Deltahawk DHK180 aviation diesel engine. 

The experience was fascinating... and keep in mind that the aircraft we flew was an experimental test vehicle with a prototype engine in an airplane that was normally equipped with 30 more horsepower than what was listed for the DHK180 -- and we didn't seem to be missing it much. So... solid data is yet to come... and will have to wait until the engine matures to a production version... which shouldn't be long now.

The startup was interesting... pretty much revolving around allowing the glow plugs about ten seconds to fire up and be ready to complete the start process... which requires a little experience with how to handle the throttle. Though the overall experience is less difficult than a hot-start in an IO-540 or IO-550. There is still a slight low amplitude, high-frequency vibe in idle... but it all but disappears with power application and cruise operation is surprisingly smooth. And for 30HP less than the engine it replaced, the DHK180 pushed an elder Gen 1 SR20 along at over 140kts with about 75% power. 

Throughout the flight, there was a ready response to throttle input, temps seemed to be within the instrumentations' expected parameters, and the overall impression was confidence-boosting... no weirdness, no untoward vibration, and while the motor definitely runs differently from the average piston, the operational requirements didn't take long to understand and adapt to.

The flight down from Racine, WI, the day before, covered a total of 818 NM, at an average 148 Kts True Airspeed and a total fuel burn of 45 gallons of Jet A -- nonstop. That's efficient traveling... though I think one of the more significant markets will be flight training due to the direct operational efficiencies and a hoped-for TBO that should knock down ops costs significantly.

Pretty impressive... More info to come.

FMI: https://www.deltahawk.com/

 


Advertisement

More News

ANN FAQ: Submit a News Story!

Have A Story That NEEDS To Be Featured On Aero-News? Here’s How To Submit A Story To Our Team Some of the greatest new stories ANN has ever covered have been submitted by our>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.13.25): Cleared For The Option

Cleared For The Option ATC authorization for an aircraft to make a touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop and go, or full stop landing at the discretion of the pilot. It>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.13.25)

“...no entity, whether a division of government or a private company or corporation, may use information broadcast or collected by automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast >[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.14.25)

“While our traditional mechanical magnetos will be around for a long time, Hartzell Engine Tech acquired E-MAG to expand its PowerUP Ignition System product portfolio into bo>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.14.25): Flight Check

Flight Check A call-sign prefix used by FAA aircraft engaged in flight inspection/certification of navigational aids and flight procedures. The word “recorded” may be a>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC