On May 21, 8:54 pm, Paul kgyy wrote:
Anybody know whether the Diamond DA40 is available with diesel power
in the U.S.? I checked the website and the only engine is the ancient
Lycoming IO360.

Hmm. Not sure why you put it that way. The IO360 is well know for
being rock solid. Diesel aircraft engines typically cost you useful
load because of their weight and the fuel is heavier to boot. A
double whammy on useful load isn't exactly exciting. IIRC, the
diesels that Diamond have certified don't have a 2000hr TBO either.
Didn't they just get it increased from 1200hrs to 1500hr or something
like that? On top of all that, the energy density for 100LL is some
20% higher (IIRC; or was it 40%) which means fuel consumption is 20%
higher for the same HP rating.

Overall, aside from diesel fuel prices, I don't see a big advantage
especially once you multiply the diesel fuel price by %120 to compare
what it would cost you to travel the same distance via 100LL. Once
you add in the engine reserve for a 1500hr (IIRC) engine versus a
2000hr engine and the extra fuel required, one has to wonder if the
diesel price per gallon is worth it in the big picture.

Are you sure you still want diesel power?


Greg