Why not diesel engine on aircraft?

**gunnut** · 06 Dec 07,, 22:09

I forgot if I asked this question or not, but why no diesel piston engines on aircraft?

Maybe there were, but it's not popular. Why not?

**ArmchairGeneral** · 06 Dec 07,, 22:28

I have a dumb question

**gunnut** · 06 Dec 07,, 22:40

Originally Posted by ArmchairGeneral

I have a dumb question

Dude....I must be getting old. Alzheimer's is setting in. Watch me ask the same question again next year.

**glyn** · 06 Dec 07,, 22:59

Originally Posted by gunnut

Dude....I must be getting old. Alzheimer's is setting in. Watch me ask the same question again next year.

Just for variety's sake, I shall give you a different answer next year!

**ArmchairGeneral** · 06 Dec 07,, 23:02

Originally Posted by gunnut

Dude....I must be getting old. Alzheimer's is setting in. Watch me ask the same question again next year.

Heck, I've been having "senior moments" for as long as I can remember. Which ain't very long.

)

**Jimmy** · 07 Dec 07,, 23:00

At least you didnt give it the same title...

**gunnut** · 07 Dec 07,, 23:10

Originally Posted by Jimmy

At least you didnt give it the same title...

Next time I'll do a search and make sure I give it the same title...

**Shamus** · 08 Dec 07,, 01:00

Uhhhh......What was the question again????

**tankie** · 08 Dec 07,, 07:05

Originally Posted by Shamus

Uhhhh......What was the question again????

It was ,, can we have rocket powered cars ? just to burn the face off the guy behind who is giving you the V sign .

)

**avon1944** · 09 Dec 07,, 09:55

Yes, there have been aircraft with diesel engines but, there are a couple of reasons diesel engines tend not to be used on aircraft;
1) Diesel engines 'tend' to have a greater mass to power ratio. The weight for a given power is higher. This is why they are used so much on trucks, their higher weight provides greater durability.
2) Diesels engines tend to have a more restricted power band. The amount of power from the diesel engine tends to have a smaller frequency between minimum to maximum RPM than gasoline engines.

Adrian

**glyn** · 09 Dec 07,, 11:55

Originally Posted by avon1944

Yes, there have been aircraft with diesel engines but, there are a couple of reasons diesel engines tend not to be used on aircraft;
1) Diesel engines 'tend' to have a greater mass to power ratio. The weight for a given power is higher. This is why they are used so much on trucks, their higher weight provides greater durability.
2) Diesels engines tend to have a more restricted power band. The amount of power from the diesel engine tends to have a smaller frequency between minimum to maximum RPM than gasoline engines.

Adrian

We can't ignore the progress that has been made with compression ignition engines in the last few decades. My own car is a diesel, and I bet you wouldn't be able to tell that it wasn't a petrol engined car if you were to drive it.

**GAU-8** · 09 Dec 07,, 22:01

Originally Posted by gunnut

Dude....I must be getting old. Alzheimer's is setting in. Watch me ask the same question again next year.

Welcome to the human race my friend.

Benefits of having Alzheimer's

5. You never have to watch reruns on television.

4. You get to meet new people every day.

3. You don't have to remember the whines and complaints of your spouse.

2. You can hide your own Easter eggs.

1. Mysteries are always interesting.

**Tin Man** · 09 Dec 07,, 23:14

Originally Posted by GAU-8

Welcome to the human race my friend.

Benefits of having Alzheimer's

5. You never have to watch reruns on television.

4. You get to meet new people every day.

3. You don't have to remember the whines and complaints of your spouse.

2. You can hide your own Easter eggs.

1. Mysteries are always interesting.

**avon1944** · 09 Dec 07,, 23:43

I realize the real new diesel engines like the Mercedes-Benz E320-CDI using low sulfur diesel fuel is competitive with any gas and maybe in the future aircraft will be designed with diesel engines. When you compare the diesel engines with gas engines that 'had been' available to aircraft designers, the edge went to gasoline engines.
Now, I know the Audi R-10 diesel won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2006 and 2007. Just coming online for light aircraft designers are new two-stroke diesels which have the high power-to-weight ratio needed for an aircraft engines.

Originally Posted by GAU-8

Benefits of having Alzheimer's

I highly resemble this!

Adrian

**GAU-8** · 10 Dec 07,, 03:07

Originally Posted by gunnut

Next time I'll do a search and make sure I give it the same title...

Naaaaah,

Just write the check. Buy one of these German diesel babies. Fill her up with Jet A (kerosine) and when you pass by Texas, drop in. I'll buy the beers and BBQ--for a little stick time.