The Sealand RED V12 Diesel Beaver flies!

[PilotDAR]

Yesterday, with Sealand's pilot, we flew the first two flights with the RED V12 powered diesel Beaver. A new era begins!

[JasonE]

Are more details on the engine available?

[mmm...bacon]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RED_A03

[goldeneagle]

Is that at Sealand in YBL ?

[7ECA]

Nifty.

I gotta ask though, why not just go with the PT-6/DHC-2T conversion versus reinventing the wheel with a diesel?

[all_ramped_up]

Probably because of fuel burn. They're probably running Jet-A in it as it'll work in a diesel engine.

For those operating low with turboprops, they're burning a lot more than a King Air humming along at FL210.

[Vern]

Probably because of fuel burn. They're probably running Jet-A in it as it'll work in a diesel engine.

For those operating low with turboprops, they're burning a lot more than a King Air humming along at FL210.

That and you could probably buy about 5 of these engines for the price of one PT6

[digits_]

Cool! Do the diesel engines require special props as well?

[rigpiggy]

Just an M T prop(not a fan, but wh at do ya do). Beside the fuel burn, you also have to think cycles as well as time in turboprops. This is a 550hp donkey that would have a cruise fuel burn of about 12 gph of cheaper fuel( between .50-1.00). so based on say 500 hrs a year 4 gph diff at cruise would be almost 100/hr. Plus I'm betting the aerodynamics will be better so maybe an extra 15-20 mph or 8-15% faster. Figure close to 30% reduction in DOCs. If I win the lotto........this would also be an awesome retrofit on c421s

[piperdriver]

Very interesting PilotDar.

What is the cruise speed and fuel burn?

[digits_]

The red makes the engine look massive! Very cool! Hope we see more diesel engines soon!

[rigpiggy]

At cruise .339#/hp

[rigpiggy]

According to Flightaware these were only 2 minute flights. More info please.

[PilotDAR]

According to Flightaware these were only 2 minute flights.

The Flightaware information is not accurate. The first was a circuit, just as a first flight, the second was a few thousand feet up over the airport, while we gathered some engine operating information for about 15 minutes. I won't present any detailed information, as it is not mine to offer, but I can say that the airplane performance was very pleasing. The JET A fuel consumption was similar to a thirsty IO-550.

Yes, Sealand at Campbell River (CYBL). They have made a magnificent installation.

[fish4life]

I hope this turns out to be a great STC installation and if some of the very preliminary reports seem to be true it could make a beaver a more practical private aircraft for the upper end of the 185 market.

[Inverted2]

Nice! Does she roll coal like my dads old 12 valve Cummins?

[rigpiggy]

Still waiting on the video, and wi kil update

[PilotDAR]

I know that RED intends to put video up, we discussed it in our post flight meeting. I know it was taken, but I don't have any, I was in the plane. It was mentioned that some of the sound on the video was "supplemented" by an R22 doing longline training behind the videographer....

[co-joe]

That's a cool looking project, I would totally make a new column in my log book for V-12 power!

[PilotDAR]

I flew the Sealand/RED diesel Beaver for 1.3 hours this afternoon, what a performer! Cruise at 4500 feet altitude, 6C OAT, 80% power; 158 MIAS, with a jet fuel burn of 93 L/Hr. Climb rate through 8500 feet (today's ceiling) was still 1600 FPM at max continuous power. More flight testing tomorrow. We've got more work and testing to do, and a way to go for STC approval, but it's a spectacular beginning!