As we have suspected for years, once more and more people realize the benefits and ease of working with and running a diesel, they will begin to take over the world…one industry at a time. With that in mind, we came across a recent announcement from the Diesel Technology Forum talking about how diesels are taking over the aircraft scene. Check out all the information below.

Official Company Announcement:

SMA plans to have a 400-horsepower-range demonstrator diesel running this year, with development to follow and certification possible by 2015. It is based on the technology of the SMA four-cylinder engine, but with new technology and new efforts to make it as light as possible.

With several major aircraft and engine manufacturers recently announcing the development of new diesel aircraft engines, the general aviation industry in the United States appears to be entering a new diesel evolution phase, said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

In just the past month, aircraft and engine manufacturers like Cessna, Continental Motors, American Champion Aircraft, Lycoming and DeltaHawk Engines have announced new diesels for general aviation aircraft in the U.S., Schaeffer said. “Having major aircraft and engine manufacturers like Cessna and Continental Motors make strong commitments to diesel engines is a major step in the future expansion of diesel technology in a new arena,” Schaeffer said.

“The same attributes that have made diesel engines the power behind virtually all modes of surface transportation now has the potential to transition the future of the aviation industry. “The manufacturers are reporting the new diesel engines have lower fuel consumption and increased range and better performance at altitude – some very significant improvements that are being welcomed by the general aviation industry.  The industry is also facing an increased scarcity of 100 low-lead avgas, not only in the U.S., but also in the European and Asian markets, where diesel fuel is readily available, as it is in the United States.

“All of these factors have many analysts predicting the wide spread adoption of diesel engines throughout general aviation,” Schaeffer said.  “Some are even suggesting the increased fuel efficiency and lead-free emissions from new diesel engines may be the biggest change in light aircraft engines in many years.”

According to AOPA.org CESSNA AIRCRAFT lends its size and reputation to the use of diesel technology with its 182 JT-A offering. It has made a believer out of the marketplace with its choice of the second-generation SMA technology. Cessna is looking for additional diesel engines it can “trust” for the rest of the Cessna single-engine piston fleet. Photos Courtesy of Cessna, SMA, and DeltaHawk.

Diesel Engines Already Power All Other Transportation Sectors

 “Today, diesel technology powers the most diverse spectrum of equipment ranging from the world’s largest construction machinery, passenger and race cars, cruise and cargo ships, agricultural equipment, trucks and buses, and even submarines,” Schaeffer said.  “It’s fitting that diesel technology is now accelerating its advancement into general aviation and even in the use of unmanned aerial systems (drones).

Diesel Light Duty Sales Are Also Increasing in U.S. Due to Higher Fuel Efficiency, Longer Range & Better Performance Than Gasoline Autos

“It’s interesting that the new developments in aviation are very similar to America’s light duty vehicle market where major automobile manufacturers are introducing numerous new clean diesels in the U.S. market and the diesel market share is showing steady month-to-month growth.  And like the aviation industry, auto makers and drivers are saying diesels popularity is based on the better fuel efficiency, better range per tank of fuel, and better performance over gasoline vehicles.”

Wanna read more about these aircraft engines and what is coming to market? Check out AOPA.org.