Spend even a few minutes comparing the operation of an avgas-powered engine to a diesel—also known as a compression-ignition engine or a jet-A power plant—and a number of diesel benefits jump right out. Diesel engines don’t have spark plugs, and demand no magnetos. Jet-A-burning piston engines are water-cooled too, meaning they’re less susceptible to overheating on the ground or during climb-out. Better efficiency translates into 30 to 35 percent better fuel economy with a jet-A power plant. Avgas availability isn’t much of an issue here in the United States, but we live in a fuel bubble because 100LL isn’t all that easy to come by in other parts of the world. In a Flying story five years ago, Stephen Pope summed up the jet-A power debate: “They’re more efficient, run on cheaper fuel, and the EPA isn’t threatening to regulate them out of existence. With so much going for them, are jet-fuel-burning diesels ready to take over?” Whether a jet-A-powered piston engine actually makes good sense depends quite a bit upon who you ask. It also hinges on the specific problems a jet-A power plant is being asked to solve: save on fuel costs, increase range, reduce maintenance expenses or some combination of all three. What we can say for certain is that today, the options to install jet-A piston engines in an avgas airplane are closer to becoming a reality than five years ago, although the movement is certainly not a groundswell … at least not yet.
Inside the Diesel Revolution
Key Takeaways:
- Jet-A piston engines offer significant advantages over avgas engines, including 30-35% better fuel efficiency, reduced maintenance, simpler operation, and wider global fuel availability at a lower cost.
- While these engines are gaining traction globally, particularly outside the U.S. where avgas is scarce and expensive, their adoption in the U.S. is slower due to the availability of inexpensive 100LL and higher initial conversion costs.
- Some U.S. flight schools are beginning to adopt jet-A power plants for operational efficiencies like increased range, reduced refueling time, and simplified maintenance, with new engine designs continuously improving performance and reliability.
- The article suggests that a widespread shift to jet-A in the U.S. may depend on external pressures, such as future EPA regulations on leaded avgas, rather than current economic incentives alone.
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