12 July 2007
Diamond Aircraft has announced that it has developed a diesel engine, which has now made its first flight in a DA40.
The engine has been developed in collaboration with Austro Engine GmbH and Mercedes Benz Technology (MB-Tech) in Germany “and other distinguished partners.” It is, says Diamond, a 170 hp turbodiesel engine with a maximum torque of 570Nm.
The initial test flight was carried out in a DA40 Diamond Star with Christian Dries, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Industries and Sören Pedersen, the Managing Test Pilot. They report that “the engine showed high performance while also being economical. Through consequential implementation of MB Tech developed combustion technology, in comparison to ‘normal’ engines, we succeeded in lowering the overall fuel consumption, employing identical performance, by 20%. These results make this engine a very attractive option for unmanned aircraft (UAVs). ”
Diamond also says that “ss the worlds’ biggest manufacturer of aircraft with diesel engines, it was obvious that Diamond Aircraft Industries would strive to perfect a tried and tested new generation of JetA1 engines for the general aviation.”
