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When will a diesel be available for my aircraft? |
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News, facts, and comments on the coming revolution for piston-engine aircraft.News of November 22, 2005Diesel Saga 3: How the French IRS unintentionally came to help diesel technology in Europe.France was with Italy a pioneer of high gasoline taxes. When it comes to taxes, never underestimate French know how which has lead the world for several centuries! After World War II, the country’s economy was ruined and running a tremendous trade deficit. A severe protectionist policy was enforced, which lasted until the 1957 Rome Treaty establishing the Common Market and then gradually faded out within 11 years. Petroleum products being imported, motor gasoline was taxed sky high. But this was hurting the trucking business, which lobbied to obtain much lower taxes on diesel fuel. From the fifties to the eighties, motor diesel was half the price of gasoline. Other countries followed the practice although not all at the same level. And immediately more taxi drivers saw the advantage of shifting to diesel and spend some 75% less per mile. In 1975-80, with my Citroen diesel used for business travel across Europe, I was making money on the standard mileage rate I was charging to my business which was based on gasoline costs. This “privilege” of diesel cars eventually was noticed by general consumers, and the smart ones started buying diesel sedans. Manufacturers saw the market opportunity and decided to work on eliminating the traditional setbacks of diesel: noise, smell, solid particles emission, weight, and low power per weight. In the seventies Peugeot broke ground with the 1,100 c.c. 204 diesel, the smallest diesel on the market. Diesel cars, within 30 years, became what they are today which amazes the American public. They are capable of 125 and even 140 mph, are as silent as a conventional car, and are even more fuel efficient than before. Female drivers love them. A small diesel car does 60 miles to the US gallon while respecting the speed limits (which are higher than in the US.) By now, European diesel technology is decades ahead from what sell as diesel in the US. It is this diesel technology which was the base of aero diesels in the hands of engine manufacturers who had the experience of high performance racing cars: Thielert in Germany; SMA in France which was the offshoot of the ex-Renault Sports engine design for Formula One cars; Wilksch in the UK which was founded by two ex-Cosworth engineers (see soon our story on Wilksch…). posted at 2:45 AM |
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