DeltaHawk Engines proudly announces the successful first flight of a Van’s Aircraft RV-14 powered by its revolutionary Jet-A burning DHK180 engine—a significant milestone for experimental aircraft builders seeking modern, efficient propulsion solutions with unmatched global fuel availability. This achievement reinforces DeltaHawk’s unwavering commitment to powerful innovation, performance, and sustainability in aviation.
The FAA-certified DHK180 engine, which received its Type Certificate in 2023, makes its debut installation in an RV-14 owned and completed by award-winning aircraft builder Craig Saxton. The project is a collaboration between Saxton, Synergy Air—the nation’s largest Van’s Aircraft builder-assist company—and DeltaHawk. Van’s Aircraft also provided technical assistance to support the successful integration of the DHK engine.
Engineered from a clean-sheet design, the DHK180 offers unmatched ease of operation and reduced operating costs compared to traditional aircraft piston engines. With no mixture control, no risk of shock cooling, and single-lever power management, pilots can focus more on flying and less on engine management. The engine’s turbocharged and supercharged design delivers exceptional altitude performance, maintaining power at higher elevations. Burning Jet Fuel and SAF, the engine ensures worldwide fuel availability while supporting the industry’s push toward carbon neutral aviation. Engineered with 40% fewer parts than comparable engines, it minimizes maintenance, boosts reliability, and enhances safety.
The early flight test results are promising, with the DeltaHawk-powered RV-14 delivering the expected improvements in efficiency and performance. Builders can anticipate 35- 40% greater fuel efficiency compared to traditional AVGAS engines—extending range, increasing payload flexibility, and significantly reducing operational costs.
DeltaHawk is now accepting firewall-forward engine package orders for the Van’s RV-14 as well as the Velocity Twin, with pre-orders available for Cessna 172 and 182 airframes. The engine and RV-14 will be on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, Booth #226, where attendees can learn more about this innovative powerplant and its potential for both certified and experimental aircraft.
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