FutureFlight
RED Aircraft Positions Its High-Performance Piston Engine for Hybrid-Electric Propulsion
The German company's 500-hp A03 is the most powerful piston aircraft certified to date and could act as a turbogenerator to power electric motors and recharge batteries.
RED Aircraft A03 piston engine
RED Aircraft's A03 piston engine features 12 cylinders arranged in a V-formation so that each bank of 6 cylinders can function independently. [Image: RED Aircraft]

Raikhlin Aircraft Engine Developments (RED Aircraft) is positioning its A03-series piston engine not only as a step forward in general aviation propulsion but also as a new option for hybrid-electric powertrains. First certified by EASA back in 2014, and then by FAA in 2016, the 500-hp A03 is still the most powerful piston engine on the market, and, according to the German company, it also offers lower fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions.

In April, Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) selected the A03 to power its Airlander 10 airship. Initially, the UK company intends to use four of the piston engines to replace diesel engines now powering its technology development aircraft, with two installed on the stern of the airship and one each on the port and starboard sides.