Diesel Air flew its new lightweight all-aluminium 75kW (100hp) engine for the first time last month.
The DAIR 100, the first in a series of general aviation diesel engines in the 75-450kW range to be offered by the UK company, flew for 1h 30min on a Luscombe 8A light aircraft. It flew a series of flights up to 2,200ft (670m) from Meppershall airfield, Bedfordshire.
Following the test flights, further work continues on refining the engine performance, says David Soul, managing director of Olney, Buckinghamshire-based Diesel Air. The manufacturer plans to fly a Luscombe 8A, fitted with the DAIR 100, at this year's Popular Flying Association Rally in June, says Soul. Small-scale production will start in October, he adds. The engine has attracted interest from operators, with most enquiries coming from the USA, he says.
The DAIR 100, designed to replace the Teledyne Continental and Textron Lycoming pistons, resembles a flat four or "boxer" engine, but has only two cylinders, each with two pistons. The engine has two outboard crankshafts connected by gears to the propeller drive and accessories. Diesel Air has completed the design work on a 300kW engine, which US company Airship Technologies is considering for its blimps.
Source: Flight International
