Thus far, Diamond is the only manufacturer to take Jet-A fueled aircraft diesels seriously, but Tecnam has also entered the fray with the new P2010 TDI with a Continental CD170 engine. It has appeared in the U.S. at AirVenture, but this year it also popped up at Sun ‘n Fun. AVweb interviewed Dave Copeland to find out more about it.

4 COMMENTS

  1. The big question has to be maintenance on that engine. Diamond dumped the Thielert version and made their own for a reason. Still, in the US, is anyone buying the diesel Star? Rumor has it Twin Star owners all look to swap.

    Given Chinese ownership of Diamond, this plane might be the best in class available now. But would a U.S. buyer be foolish to go Jet A?

    Flight schools won’t change from what they are doing ever if they can avoid it. Between the FAA, airlines, the existing fleet, and the need to spend money training A&P’s it’s not easy to risk change. But the fuel burn would seem to be a big draw.

    • DA42 owner here – the Thielert engines are now made by Continental (CD-135/155), and they work great on Twin Stars, easily crusing at less than 5 gal/hr per side flying economy settings. We have no reason to change to Diamond’s Austro engines. No idea why you say it’s foolish to go Jet A or why flight schools would have a problem with that.

  2. FADEC, FADEC, FADEC. 4 Passengers, no lead fouled plugs/valves, universally accessible fuel with no airport restrictions, modern avionics full IFR, burning 5 gal/hr less than and ½ price of a Cirrus. If Tecnam can churn them out, it will capture the private plane market; the 190 engine the new build Experimental Market if Continental will sell it to EA. I Paid $40K for my Thunderbolt 390; would have gladly spent $65K on a 190, as it would simplify my build and ownership.

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