FAA Certification Progress
 

DeltaHawk is well on its way to type certification of the DH-180A4 engine
(180 HP).  An FAA Designated Engineering Representative consulting
group, The DERs Group, has been engaged to manage and direct the
process.  Current estimates are to achieve Type Certification (TC) as
early as the beginning of 2011.  The remaining engine model variants will
be quickly certified afterward as amendments to the initial TC.

DeltaHawk’s Project Specific Certification Plan (PSCP) was signed by
the FAA Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) and DeltaHawk on
August 14, 2008.  The PSCP is the guiding document for achieving
DeltaHawk’s initial Type Certificate (TC) for the DH-180A4 engine. 
We are in the conformity phase, which includes submitting the final
drawings and specifications of the engine and manufacturing components
for the FAA to examine and approve as conforming to those specifications. 
Maintenance, operating and service manuals are also being prepared for
FAA review.  A 270-hour FAA engine acceptance test is projected to take
place in the fourth quarter of 2010.  

In addition to aiding with the TC process, the FAA’s Minneapolis
Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) is working in coordination
with the DERs Group to promptly obtain manufacturing authority (a
Production Certificate) for the engine following award of the Type
Certificate.  An MRP (Materials and Resource Planning) system and
the required FAA quality and process control procedures are being
established and reviewed.  

The progress to date towards our Type Certificate and Production
Certificate is a significant milestone in the history of DeltaHawk. 
Decisions made over 10 years ago have stood the test of time
and will lead to an innovative new power plant for aviation worldwide. 
Among those innovations are:

• Lightweight construction using modern materials

• Two-stroke technology for high power density

• Liquid cooling for precise thermal management

• Ease of service with external components

• Multiple orientations and reverse rotation from one basic platform

• Multiple levels of redundancy in key systems

  • Dual independent air supply systems (turbo & supercharger)

  • Continued operation at reduced power with total loss of coolant

  • Four independent high-pressure fuel pumps

• A critical altitude in excess of 18,000 feet

• Mechanical fuel injection for proven, safe and reliable fuel management

  •  No electronics to fail

  •  No reliance on aircraft electrical power 
     

With fuels such as jet, diesel, and bio-diesel poised to become the
worldwide fuels of choice, DeltaHawk customers can face the future
confident they will be able to continue flying safely and economically.

Additionally, DeltaHawk is working with the US Navy to expand the
current military Technical Readiness Level (TRL) via a formal testing
program beginning fourth quarter 2010.

Old Status Reports are collected on the Archives Page