RACINE — DeltaHawk Engines, a Racine-based, privately held developer of general aviation engines, has announced investment from the Ruud family that gives them controlling interest in the company.
DeltaHawk said this funding round allows for the commercialization of DeltaHawk’s first engine family and completion of research and development for higher horsepower engines used primarily in general aviation airplanes.
The Clean Air Act requires the general aviation industry to make a transition away from leaded aviation gasoline. In response, DeltaHawk plans to test and certify its multi-fuel 160-200-horsepower engine family for Federal Aviation Administration standards.
When certified, manufacturing and sales of the engines will begin. Production facilities will be in the current plant and offices at 2300 South St. which the Ruuds also bought.
According to DeltaHawk, its new engines are smaller and approximately 35 percent more efficient than gasoline-burning aviation engines and can fly farther on less fuel and at lower costs. The design can also maintain 100 percent power up to 18,000 feet.
DeltaHawk’s engine design and engineering have been led by Doug Doers, a co-founder in the company. Doers will continue to implement this vision with the company as chief technology officer.
According to Ruud family patriarch Alan Ruud of the former Ruud Lighting – now part of Cree, “Our experience in transitioning innovative ideas from R&D to full-scale production is a perfect fit with DeltaHawk. This company has great business potential and a keen focus on the pulse of the industry and their customers.”
“Not only is the DeltaHawk engine an industry game-changer but it will also be impactful to our local community as we hire in anticipation of beginning production,” according to Christopher Ruud, son of Alan Ruud.
DeltaHawk was founded in 1996 by Doers, his wife, the late Diane Doers, and Jeanne Brooks.