The Range of Aircraft

A GREAT deal of research and experiment is at the present time being carried out with the object of producing a light‐weight compression‐ignition or Diesel aero‐engine burning heavy‐oil fuel, which shall replace the petrol engine and free aviation from the ever‐present danger of petrol fires. It has often been pointed out that, although the specific weight of the Diesel engine is considerably greater than that of the petrol engine, its greater fuel economy so reduces the amount of fuel required, that for certain aircraft ranges the complete power unit will have the same weight, whichever type of engine is used.