Diamond DA42 NG flies on biofuel

(AOPA Online 7/01/10 T.A. Horne) Diamond Aircraft Industries and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space (EADS) have teamed to fly a Diamond DA42 NG on algae-derived biofuel. The DA42 NG, which is equipped with a pair of Jet-A-burning Austro Engine AE300 engines, was recently flown at the ILA 2010 airshow in Berlin using the new fuel. The result, Diamond and EADS say, was performance equal to that experienced using Jet-A fuel—but a reduction in fuel burn of approximately 1.5 liters (about 1.6 quarts) per hour. Only minor modifications and adjustments had to be made to the DA42’s engines in order for the airplane to use the biofuel during the demonstration flights. EADS, even though it is not directly involved in fuel production, has been pursuing research for a suitable alternative to fossil fuels...

Diesel owners offered an upgrade

(AOPA Online, 6/01/10, A.K. Marsh) If you already own a Centurion diesel (jet fuel) 1.7 piston engine and want to upgrade to the 2.0, Centurion Aircraft Engines has a deal for you. Owners can get money back for unused flight hours if they upgrade to the next-generation Centurion 2.0 by Aug. 31. After receiving a supplemental type certificate for the installation of 155-hp Centurion 2.0s engines in the Cessna 172, the company launched this current campaign, the upgrade program for pilots with Centurion 1.7 engines. All types of aircraft with Centurion 1.7 engines can be equipped with the Centurion 2.0 engine. This applies to Cessna 172, Piper PA28, Robin DR400, and Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft. Since the Centurion 2.0 delivers 135 horsepower and has the same weight and size dimensions at the Centurion 1.7, it has the same supplemental type certificate...

Comment: Sounds good. But who owns one of these?

Firsthand look at one potential 100LL replacement

(AOPA ePilot, 7/08/10) AOPA President Craig Fuller and senior members of the association’s government affairs staff traveled to Ada, Okla., July 7 for a demonstration of one of the possible solutions in the search for an unleaded aviation gasoline. Joining them at General Aviation Modifications, Inc. (GAMI) was Cessna Aircraft Company President and CEO Jack Pelton. “The dilemma of how to remove lead from avgas without affecting safety of flight has vexed our industry for years,” said Fuller. “So it is important that AOPA, as part of a general aviation avgas coalition, look at all potential solutions. That’s why we’re at GAMI again—to get an update on how their work on a fuel alternative is progressing.” (Learn more about GAMI's fuel, G100UL, in "Look, Ma, no lead.") AOPA and the other members of the coalition—the American Petroleum Institute (API), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA)—are working closely with the Environmental Protection Agency and the FAA to develop and implement a comprehensive process for evaluating all aspects of potential solutions, from refining to actual performance in aircraft engines...