Reasons to Come to SOAPA 2008 No 2

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Jet A for GA
We all know that 100LL is getting out of sight, and in some parts of the world, is completely unavailable. If you want to buy a diesel airplane, today, you have 2 choices. You can get a Cessna 172, with the Thielert 1.7 or 2.0 engine, or you can get a Cessna 182 with the SMA 305 engine.
On the near horizon is the Thielert 350 in a Duke. There are rumors of a Thielert 350 in the Cessna 414 or 421, or maybe both.
We know that Continental has committed to making a Diesel engine, by 2010. We also know that Continental flew a Continental/Honda diesel in a Skymaster. That was a long time ago.
The folks at Riley, when they were in business, talked about the SMA engine in a Skymaster. Of course, nothing came of that.

What is left out of this is the STC to put the engine in a particular plane. This is a time consuming, and expensive task. I remember Les Brindle talking about the MT prop for Skymasters, and he said it took him 4 years to get the STC approved.

It would be advantageous if the engine manufacturer would start the process. That would give the STC developer a leg up, and if it was supported by the engine manufacturer, it would make the long journey smoother.

Delta Hawk is making a Diesel Engine. In fact they are shipping them to experimental customers. If you look at their web site (http://www.deltahawkengines.com/), you will see that they now own a C337E, with the stated plan of installing 2 Diesel engines in it this spring. Delta Hawk, interestingly enough, is located in Racine, Wisconsin, which is just across the lake from Kalamazoo.

We have invited them to come, and anticipate that they will discuss their plans and provide some sort of time table for the future.