On 6 Dec 2003 09:32:52 -0800 (Jay) wrote:

From what I understand, the low power to weight ratio of diesel
engines has been the main limiting factor for their adoption into
small planes (and passenger cars for that matter). The reason for the
high weight as it was explained to me was that the high compression
used for an auto-ignition type engine required strong, and thus heavy
castings to withstand the pressures.


Times have changed and materials science has taken some huge leaps. Modern
diesels are cleaner and quieter then just 10 years ago.


So these days you see diesels fitted with forced induction systems,


I didn't think forced induction was anything new to diesel engines.

which apparently makes them more peppy (e.g. the 90hp VW 1.9L TDI).

It definitely makes them peppier and more efficient.


But doesn't this more powerful charge being introduced by the forced
induction system, just require again, a heavier engine to withstand
the more powerful explosion? Or to put in in converse, if the same

Again, materials have advanced greatly and the parts can be made lighter
and stronger.


engine could have withstood the more powerful charge, couldn't they
have built it lighter in the first place and used a conventional
induction system? For now lets ignore the altitude power


What do you mean by conventional induction system?


normalization aspect for aircraft operation.


Don't ignore that, that's one of the best features.


R. Hubbell