5 May 2026
US engine maker DeltaHawk reports steady progress across certification, airframe integration and new engine development programmes, as the company edges closer to key flight test milestones.
Work continues on integrating upgrades into its amended FAA type certification, with the company stating it remains focused on meeting regulatory standards ahead of wider market entry.
A major project is the Piper PA-44 Seminole light twin programme, where the final production firewall forward package is now being installed. Flight testing is expected to begin within weeks, with the aircraft scheduled for public display at Oshkosh.
Progress has also been reported on a counter-rotating variant, aimed at twin-engine applications, which has completed initial testing successfully and “ran exceptionally well,” according to the company.
DeltaHawk is working with a Van’s kitplane builder and several variants are planned. Van’s RV-14 pictured above at AirVenture 2025.
In the experimental sector, DeltaHawk’s Vans RV-14 installation, developed with serial aircraft builder Craig Saxton, continues to mature using the finalised firewall-forward configuration, while early design work is underway for RV-10 and RV-15 applications.
Certification programmes for legacy aircraft are also advancing, with a Cessna 172 STC now underway and a C182 programme planned to follow.
Alongside certification efforts, the company has announced the creation of a new defence division, introducing lightweight two-cylinder engine platforms designed for unmanned aircraft systems. These engines are being developed for multi-fuel compatibility.
A separate two-cylinder, horizontally opposed series (80–120hp) is also in development, targeting smaller aircraft platforms.
DeltaHawk says it is positioning its Jet-A-burning, compression-ignition engines to align with the FAA’s MOSAIC reforms, which are expected to expand the light sport category by shifting from weight-based to performance-based limits.
The company’s current four-cylinder DHK range spans 180–235hp, with fuel burn as low as 7.3 US gallons per hour at economy settings.
DeltaHawk engine installation in Van’s RV-14.
