The last couple of years development in aircraft engines has been more or less concentrating on diesel engines. We have seen one off installations to fully developed engine production lines. A number of companies are active on this market primarily due to major concern of long term availability and the relative high price of AVgas (Europe). JET fuel (avtur) is available worldwide and can be used in diesel engines. This fuel can also be made of renewable sources (biomass) which contribute to a cleaner environment.
In the United Kingdom there are a number of aircraft diesel engine manufacturers active: Wilksch Airmotive, Diesel Air Limited and Powerplant Developments. We will shine a light on each to see what they have to offer to the experimental aircraft market.
A Wilksch WAM-120 installation in a LongEZE aircraft.
Experimental Aircraft Info