Yes, but only by a slim margin that fades when diesel is compared head to head with the most efficient gas engines. Jet A availabilty, not cost, is the driver.

By Paul Bertorelli

Give pilots and aircraft owners credit for one thing: It takes a strong constitution to remain functional and focused when the avgas truck creaks to a halt and you realize that what you thought was a 5 on the price placard at 100 yards was actually a 6. So you whimper softly and pay the man, perhaps salving yourself with the idea that the new Jet-A burning airplanes will make this nightmare go away. But will they really? Are diesels that much more efficient than gasoline engines? …