We visited CTC in Hamilton NZ as they have one of the largest if not the largest fleet of
Diamond, twin Thielert, diesel powered aircraft.

http://www.ctcwings.com/nz

Diamond has had a lot trouble with this engine. Rumor's of prop failures and gear box
failures. The engine is a  2 liter 135 HP  turbo diesel out of MB A Class econo box European car.

http://www.flyingmag.com/news/continental-motors-acquires-thielert-aircraft-engines

Continental is now owned by the Chinese.
Obama,  by selling other wise worthless  US treasuries to the Chines is, in effect, selling
American industry to the Chinese.

They generally put about 100 hours a month on them as they are an airline  crew draining company.
Out of a 150 Kt Diamond twin and into the right seat of a 500 MPH jet :)

TBO is 1600 hours and then you throw them away. CTC got a waiver on this and CTC owned engines
are "on condition". When they show signs of failure you throw them away.
The European and NZ FAA don't want you going to your local MB car dealership and buying parts
or engines.

I saw one over Tauranga in cruise flight and they are very slow.
Diesel engines get excellent BSFC when run at 50 to 60% max power so there is a strong
incentive to throttle back. They run on Jet A so unlike in the US that is very cheap in NZ compared
to 100LL. Car gas is over $2 a liter or about $8 a gallon in NZ. Not telling the cost of 100LL.

 Ideal for training airline pilots at low cost as twin experience is mandatory.

The latest versions of the Diamond twin are equipped with IO 360's.
http://www.diamondaircraft.com/aircraft/da42/specs.php

We were in the CTC shop when a gear box was being replaced.

Thank God for the Ford planetary :)

Diamond (AKA Austro engines)  has an aircraft certified 2 rotor Norton based Wankel engine.
Why they don't build an aircraft for that escapes me completely.


Paul Lamar.............. Still in NZ

The Rotary Engine News Letter. Powered by Linux.
ACRE NL web site. http://www.rotaryeng.net.
You Tube http://tinyurl.com/beqqxas.
Copyright 1998-2013 All world wide rights reserved.