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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 September 30, 2007When will the aerodiesel revolution reach the United States?My perception from the fascinating feedback I get through questions from subscribers, and from my own experience when I happen to fly in France and interview European private pilots, is clear: Outside the United States, including even Canada and Mexico, everyone is aware that the aero diesel engine is not the best way but the only way for small piston-engined aircraft to find a new future. Whether it is because of poor availability of Avgas, or of a humongous price difference between Avgas and JetA ($16 per gallon against 6 in some parts of Africa!), or because of the unique advantages of diesel in terms of much longer range, higher altitude therefore more speed for same power, security in case or low fuel, much simpler learning process for the student pilot (one single control instead of 3 even in constant speed propeller, accurate power control on final approaches, highly increased payload on shorter distances), the world is convinced. What about the US? It is coming, but still very slowly. The US has by far the largest fleet of piston-engined planes (some two thirds of the world) including a large fleet of old, airworthy 172s and 182s which can be converted right now. But the owners of these planes all do the same reasoning: If my plane is worth, say, $80,000, and it costs $65 to 85,000 to convert it, why don't I simply trade my plane for a better, more expensive plane instead of taking the risk of losing market value? And how can I amortize such an investment with my small flying time of say 50 to 100 hours per annum and with hardly any difference between JetA and Avgas prices? Yet,it is coming surely because, as sales develop, the market value of diesel planes will soon consolidate and show a gain; and because, as exposure increases, US pilots will see for themselves that a diesel plane is not any ordinary plane spending less on fuel, but a very superior plane, as Europeans already know. If you are a private pilot in the US, and are considering right now buying any piston-engined airplane worth between $200,000 and 800,000, whether used or new, contact us. We will tell you what the diesel market offers right at the time we receive your inquiry. posted by Deena at 11:32 AM |
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