After decades of development, the first DeltaHawk engine has received FAA certification.
The 180-hp DHK180 is the first of a family of engines to come from DeltaHawk, according to officials with the Racine, Wisconsin-based company.
Featuring an inverted-V engine block, turbocharging and supercharging, mechanical fuel injection, liquid cooling, direct drive, and 40% fewer moving parts than other engines in its category, the new engine is a clean-sheet design secured by multiple patents, company officials noted.
“We began by completely reimagining what a general aviation engine should be,” said Christopher Ruud, CEO. “And the result is that we now have a certified engine that is a game-changer. It’s been a long time coming but, in engineering, simple is hard. However, this engine’s performance, simplicity, and reliability have made it worth the time and the investment, as it is truly ‘Power Reimagined.’”
According to company officials, the new engine is “highly responsive and produces more usable torque than traditional aircraft engines in its class, all while burning significantly less fuel and with a resulting lower net carbon footprint.”
The engine is “environmentally friendly” as well, they say, noting it can burn both Jet-A and sustainable aviation jet fuels.
The new engine was recently selected by NASA to power the hybrid propulsion system planned for its Subsonic Single Aft Engine Aircraft (SUSAN) scale flight test vehicle, a proof-of-concept electro-fan design for future regional transport aircraft. The new DeltaHawk engine has also been selected by Ampaire for an upcoming aircraft testbed application in support of NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research initiative.
With FAA certification now in hand, performance and technical upgrades are underway, along with additional endurance testing and flight evaluations in multiple aircraft, company officials report.
Production ramp-up has begun, with the first deliveries expected in 2024.
Learn more at DeltaHawk.com.
Timothy J Kurcz says
Detroit Diesel two-stroke engines actually used four cam actuated poppet style exhaust valves with a circumferential row of intake ports, so the DHK180 is even simpler with no cams or valves whatsoever. With good air and oil filtration, it might easily go 3500-4000 hours IF the architecture is sufficiently robust. As stated previously, mechanical fuel injection is simple as it gets. With no ECM to fail the electrical system is only for starting, aircraft systems, and avionics. This diesel might be the first to out-perform existing SI engines pound for pound. Bravo!
Rich einspahr says
What does engine weight fully installed
Sncy says
Great… it’s replacing our 80 year old engine technology with 60 year old technology…
Full FADEC would have been safer, cleaner and more economical.
JimH in CA says
Actually, the 2-stroke diesel was developed by GM Detroit Diesel in 1938, so it’s an 85 year old design, with some new materials to get the weight lower.
A FADEC system requires electrical power. The mechanical fuel injection system works very efficiently and reliably, especially in an aircraft application where it runs at a constant rpm.
Jack Bacon says
For the articles author: Two of the first things a reader wants to know when a new engine comes out is how much horsepower and what does it weigh? Thirdly what does it cost?
Keith S Gordon says
Good news! AvGas is a boutique fuel outside North America. Jet fuel can be found around the world and is less expensive. Given that there is a jihad against AvGas in the U.S. and Europe, this engine is right on time, if not a wee bit late, given the time it will take to incorporate it into existing and new airframes. Congratulations DeltaHawk!
Robert Morrison says
Will it fit on a Pipistrel virus/Short wing?
James VanBuskirk says
I also have been watching this company for awhile. I grew up not far from Racine, so the whole Wisconsin/Diesel aircraft thing caught my eye. Years ago, they thought they were closer to release, but stuff happened and it was delayed. Then, a 180hp turnkey engine kit was $40,000.00ish dollars. The up front costs are steep, but over the life of the engine, you recoup much more back. No more spark plugs, Magnetos, ignition wires, FADEC is more reliable, longer TBO, oil changes are less frequent, better “mpg”, and Jet-A is cheaper then 100LL.
JimH in CA says
no FADEC…it’s mechanical fuel injection, like on my 1984 Massey-Ferguson diesel tractor,
or a 1990’s Detroit Diesel, 2-stroke supercharged truck engine…..just more engineering to make it lighter and reliable at altitude.
But it is exciting to see that it’s certified….now they need the STC’s.!!
Robert Braeking says
FADEC is much less reliable than mechanical injection. I have been a diesel mechanic for 30 years. I saw all the electronics hit the industry and.they all have reliability issues. If you have good clean fuel and good compression they always start..from what I can see this is designed after the Detroit diesel 2 cycle. No intake valves, port scavenged, direct injection. The most reliable transport engine ever.
Wylbur Wrong says
What I’d like to know is, what did it cost to get this through the FAA for certification. I’ve asked questions about this for possibly getting an engine certified, and the FAA never responded after the initial letter.
How many engines do you have to give the FAA for them to destroy, and you don’t get them back?
How does one get venture capital involved when you can’t show a break even point because you can’t project what the costs by the FAA will be?
Mind you, I’m glad this engine finally made it to being certificated. But I really do wonder what the costs were, so we can know why this engine will cost so much ((how much is the FAA tax?).
Wylbur Wrong says
I went to their web site and what is missing is TBO and price of an engine. They are taking orders ($1000 deposit per engine being ordered). And hinting at STCs this fall.
I would certainly hope that they are not going to do the TBR routine. [R= replacement] Diesel/compression engines should be easily overhauled — and they imply that with their statement about liners being easily replaced which would reduce overhaul costs.
But for right now, their web site is short on specifics.
Kent Misegades says
“We began by completely reimagining what a general aviation engine should be,” said Christopher Ruud, CEO. Hint – diesel aircraft engines are really nothing new. Zeppelins and some WWII German aircraft used them as power plants. “Reimagining” is one of those silly Millenial expressions, like “curated”. Redesigning or redefining are the better words.
LoaderTosh says
Yes, publicity photos show a largely “reimagining” generation team. And curious that earlier (?) development photos show a very similar engine ‘conventional way up’. Lots of “reimagining” going on!
Ron says
Congratulations!!
So happy for you.
Shah A Miraj says
Similar to one Continental constructed in late sixties!!
This got to be much better in its class!!!
Alex says
Let’s wait and see the retail price for the engine and then, how much a retrofit on a C172 or PA-28 will cost.
In the real world.
If it is cheap enough to recoup the surcharge over a regular IO-360 via lower fuel consumption inside of the regular TBO/R, then it might be the game changer that everyone is touting it as.
The “other” diesels have not achieved this.
Pat says
Have been watching and waiting for this engine to get certified for several years – this is the very best type of design for a direct drive Diesel engine and will quickly replace the heavier less reliable 4 stroke Continental’s – how soon can we have a 350HP for Malibu’s?
JimH in CA says
If they develop a V-6 it would be in the range of 270 HP.
Since the water cooling allows closer cylinder spacing , a V-8 of 350 HP might fit in the space for a flat 6, O-550.
We can only send them a request for higher HP engines.!
Thor Strenger says
Please tell me more about the specs of your new engine including pricing.
Thank you and good luck to you!
Jose C Torres says
I’m very interested in this engine and would like information about the cost and TBO
JimH in CA says
There was a huge discussion on this engine on avwab 2 days ago.
It’s an interesting 2-stroke diesel engine.
What aircraft it can be used on is the question.?
mr. jan Zboril says
Looks like experimental for now.