In article , Thomas Borchert wrote:
and consider the "success" they had with introducing a new engine in the
US on the Katana. They've definitely been bitten before.

You can also understand their push for the diesel models in Europe
but without the strong push for diesels in the US. Jet-A is dramatically
cheaper in Europe compared to avgas (at my local airport, less than
1/3rd of the price of avgas), but in the US, Jet-A and avgas are around
the same price. Of course, the diesel DA-40 is a bit more economical in
fuel burn, but it just doesn't have the dramatic effect on operating
costs like it does in Europe, so a better business strategy in a very
conservative market is to start out with what the market will be
comfortable with and buy (you only have to look at some of the threads
around here to realise that many are uncomfortable with the 'innovation'
of composite construction - add diesel to it and they'll definitely run
screaming). Of course, over time, attitudes will change.

--
Dylan Smith, Castletown, Isle of Man
Flying: http://www.dylansmith.net
Frontier Elite Universe: http://www.alioth.net
"Maintain thine airspeed, lest the ground come up and smite thee"