Raikhlin Aircraft Engine Developments (RED) has developed a V-12 diesel for large singles, twins and whatever else can use 500 horsepower of takeoff power and 15.5 gallons an hour at cruise. In a podcast interview at AirVenture Oshkosh, a company spokesman said visitors to the booth tucked over by the vintage area suggested all kinds of applications for the innovative geared (1.88) mill. Among the innovations is a dual redundant cam and valve setup on each bank of cylinders. Weight might be an issue in some applications, however. With all accessories it tops out at about 800 pounds, but Wadsworth said the company is banking on the fact that the “competitive” price of $170,000 and fuel efficiency will make it attractive for even light turbine conversions. Wadsworth said he expects a TBO of 2,000 to 3,000 hours after the initial 1,000-hour maximum imposed by EASA on new designs expires for this engine. The engine is being field tested in a Yak-52 with positive results and there’s another engine on the drawing board that might quell some of the concerns over the demise of 100LL and the fate of the high-performance GA engines that need it.
RED is developing a 300-hp V-6 that it says will be developed once it’s putting V-12s out the door. The V-12 project was started three years ago and this video gives a glimpse of that process. The company says it plans a bigger presence at next year’s show.
