Cessna 182 JT-A: The Diesel Version of an Old Classic

It is interesting to me how various aspects of the aviation industry evolve in unexpected ways.  Such is the development of the Cessna 182 JT-A, a diesel version of the traditional 182.

According to Robert Goyer at Flying Magazine diesel versions of general aviation aircraft are going to become more important as 100LL starts to become less available, and possibly even gets eliminated by the EPA.  Obviously, there is no way to know when that will happen or how much time will be given to transition, but the one thing we know for sure is the farther along we are in the process the better off general aviation will be.

The way that Robert describes flying this new 182 it makes me want to get my hands on one right now.  Having experienced piston driven aircraft as well as turbine driven varieties, there is really no comparison with the feel of s jet engine responding to your throttle inputs.  I realize this new version is not a turbine engine, but it sure sounds close.

Combine the need to replace 100LL and the improved performance of this new model, and they should be literally flying out of the factory.