NZFF

Out and about again, this time in Slovenia at Lake Bled, a place not unlike Wanaka.

I was out taking photos today, and noticed something unusual. First thing was a C172 with a 3 bladed propellor, variable pitch, which caught my eye. Then I noticed a sticker on the engine 'Jet A-1'. Found out that this has a diesel engine in it, and discovered some interesting info on the net about it. As this is all new to me, I thought that I would share it, as it makes interesting reading:-

http://www.aerotalk.com/Aero-diesel_Update.cfm

but the photos:-





few more pictures from today (apologies for the blueness, the air was very hazy today). The airfield Piper Pawnee used for glider towing (note the duck tape on it):-





and a visiting Slovenian Army Pilatus PC6 Turbo Porter, a design which goes back to 1961!!!


(This was operating to take skydivers from Lesce Bled)

smooth landings.

How far from 'Bratsilavia' Slovakia ?

About 350km I think.

I am still amazed after watching the short field landings of the Pilatus today, looked impossible that it could fly so slowly. Take-off was just as short too.

smooth (short) landings.

Yeah,

Ive got a aviation mag here with reference to the diesel C172.
Last I heard they were having trouble sourcing the engine. manufacturer went belly up.

Will try and find, scan and post.

I was looking at a website for TAE Aero Engines, and they seem to be in business, even exhibiting at a show in April:-

http://www.thielert.com/

smooth landings.

Theilart are bankrupt as far as I know - see here ..and Diamond cant get Theilart engines and parts for their Twinstar.

i know that there is an issue with supplying JET A1 to diesel engines, as the Jet doesn't have the lubrication and octane rating tests that are done with diesel, it was in issue when i was still at archerfield (not that we had any diesels) we were under instruction that we could not supply Jet A1 to diesels until an exemption was signed and the pilot was under no illusions to the risks. i am not sure how the diesels will take off with the cost of fuel coming down, but they do last longer between rebuilds than the standard avgas engine. i still reckon you could fit a turbine engine from a Blackhwak to 172, they are that small, would be intresting to see it, i reckon the 172 would twist through the air and the prop would be stationary!!

jastheace wrote:

QUOTE (jastheace @ Feb 20 2009, 08:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i know that there is an issue with supplying JET A1 to diesel engines, as the Jet doesn't have the lubrication and octane rating tests that are done with diesel, it was in issue when i was still at archerfield (not that we had any diesels) we were under instruction that we could not supply Jet A1 to diesels until an exemption was signed and the pilot was under no illusions to the risks. i am not sure how the diesels will take off with the cost of fuel coming down, but they do last longer between rebuilds than the standard avgas engine. i still reckon you could fit a turbine engine from a Blackhwak to 172, they are that small, would be intresting to see it, i reckon the 172 would twist through the air and the prop would be stationary!!

Ha Ha
Reckon

A blackhawk you reckon. She would rip the poor old 172 to bits They do wack some versions of the Rolls Royce 250 series into 206s, 207s and 210s. Same engine (well basically but not exactly) as the jet ranger and hughes 500. Thats a tiny little turbine. Tis also on the Nomad and the Valcanair Aviator. I think it was soloy (who do the 206/7 conversions) who tested the turbine setup using a C185, which is essentially a 172 airframe.

The thing is with these diesels running off JetA is that avgas is becoming harder and harder to come by in a lot of places around the world. Obviously not a prob in NZ or oz or usa uk etc where GA is big but it is a problem in places where there is very little GA just airliners which all run of Jet fuel. S/E asia for example...