DeltaHawk Gains Type Certification on Jet-Fueled Piston Powerplant

The ‘upside down’ DHK180 has been in development for more than two decades.

Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 05:04 PM ET

Verified

DeltaHawk’s DHK180 is configured in an inverted “V” with mechanical fuel injection and liquid cooling. [Credit: DeltaHawk]

Key Takeaways:

DeltaHawk's "upside down" DHK180 piston engine, designed to run on jet-A fuel, has finally received FAA type certification after more than a decade of development.
This 180 hp, 4-cylinder diesel engine features an inverted "V" configuration, liquid cooling, turbocharging, supercharging, and 40 percent fewer parts than competitors, promising a "game-changer" in performance and simplicity.
The engine's certification process was challenging and protracted, but it has generated significant interest from kit builders, the military, and NASA.
DeltaHawk expects to begin delivering the first production DHK180 engines in 2024.

See a mistake? Contact us.

It’s been more than a decade in the making, but now the “upside down” DeltaHawk engine has arrived. The company announced Thursday that its DeltaHawk DHK180 piston powerplant—set to run on jet-A—has gained FAA type certification after a significant period of development.

The liquid-cooled,180 hp, 4-cylinder diesel engine uses an inverted “V” configuration and mechanical fuel injection, along with a slimmer design expected to fit more efficiently into modern aircraft cowling. It’s turbocharged and supercharged, direct drive, and has been assembled with 40 percent fewer parts than other engines in its class.