Next-Gen Diesel Platform Looks Promising in Newest Flight Testing

DeltaHawk Engines came to AirVenture with plenty of good news in tow, updating crowds about testing with all kinds of popular aircraft.

Their new DHK diesel engine platform is the newest clean-sheet GA engine on the market, and pilots of all stripes are eagerly awaiting delivery and installation in whatever they normally fly. Modern tech, a V4 configuration, liquid cooling, mechanical fuel injection, and single-lever power makes the DeltaHawk an attractive option for those who want a future-proof engine, but integration takes time. Right off the bat, DeltaHawk got FAA certification to install them on the Cessna 172 and 182, checking off two of the most popular GA models.

Along with that, they have been testing out a DHK engine on a Van’s RV-14, perhaps the most popular homebuilt around, with a dedicated operator base and no shortage of support. Performance from the diesel is reportedly great, with “impressive climb rates and extended cross-country legs on Jet A,” giving Van’s builders a “compelling modern propulsion system with reduced operating costs.”

Banner news for DeltaHawk this year: A collaboration with Bushliner Aircraft, an experimental homebuilt that riffs on the classic Cessna 185. The DHK will slot into their options list as a “premier powerplant option for Bushliner’s Kodiak-style aircraft, combining exceptional range and fuel flexibility with the robust performance needed for remote operations.” That’s a good combo for bush fliers, given the increasing rarity of 100LL in some locales. More commonplace Jet-A is always available, at a lower cost to boot!

“Our goal at DeltaHawk has always been to provide a modern, reliable, and efficient engine for the next generation of aviators,” said Christopher Ruud, CEO of DeltaHawk. “These aircraft represent diverse segments of the GA landscape—from training and backcountry to experimental and personal transport. Our engine is proving its value across them all.”

FMI: www.deltahawk.com