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!

[7ECA]

That's pretty darned good performance for a Beaver, of any stripe, and impressive climb performance too.

Any concerns around higher cruising speeds and airframe stresses, like the DHC-3T modifications?

[2R]

Punch Dickens would be pleased

[JasonE]

That would be fun to fly!

[J31]

https://red-aircraft.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqbv6aPiqBo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meXa3oaIJmg

[PilotDAR]

I climb tested the Sealanad/RED diesel Beaver today with Bill as my observer. We took off at 6000 pounds gross weight, passed 10,000 feet in less than 10 minutes, and were still climbing at 600 FPM as I reached 16,000. External factors today prevented going higher, but the plane certainly would have! Temps and pressures all perfectly fine. After an hour and a bit, including a 110% Vne test to 202 MPH, some stalls, and an air to air photo shoot. I landed back at Campbell River airport - at 5850 pounds, as I had not burned much fuel, pretty heavy for a wheel Beaver landing! A great flight!