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The cat is out of the bag!

Fuel Injection for the Rotax. You should be able to see one at Oshkosh.

http://pipistrel-usa.com/newsletters/newsletter-64/newsletter-64.html

Pipistrel Newsletter:

ROTAX, a name that is synonymous with light aircraft, LSA aircraft and even military drones and in a co-operation with Pipistrel today marks a very important milestone in the history for ROTAX with the release of the new fuel injected 912 IS aircraft engine.

This new engine the ROTAX 912 IS produces 100 hp from what is basically the same engine core as the 912 ULS with the exception that the carburettors are gone, now replaced with modern fuel injection. This relieves the engine from carburettor imbalance and provides perfect start-up/shutdown and idle just like a modern car. The choke has gone and the engine responsiveness has been increased substantially along with an approximate 10% reduction in fuel consumption at normal cruising speeds.

As the world's leading supplier of aircraft engines for Ultralight and LSA aircraft, ROTAX aircraft engines have truly revolutionized the aircraft industry. The popularity of these engines continues to soar higher and higher, from the original two-stroke engines through to the modern four stroke engines ROTAX produce an engine for just about every aviation application and many hundreds of non-aviation applications.

The 4-stroke 4-cylinder boxer engines we are now familiar with and known as the ROTAX 912 series started development in 1984 having advanced technology and superior weight/performance ratio and have propelled experimental, Ultralight, LSA aircraft and motorgliders for many years gaining themselves an enviable reputation for reliability, low noise, fuel efficiency and most important actually reaching the TBO times. ROTAX aircraft engines are available in two configurations including fully certified engines as well as noncertified engines; both are very similar and enjoy a fantastic reputation.

Today is a significant milestone for both Pipistrel and ROTAX with the release of the 912 IS engine, ROTAX have chosen Pipistrel as the 912 IS release customer and the engine has been fitted and tested on the award-winning Pipistrel Virus SW aircraft. Those that have flown the aircraft report increased smoothness, faster throttle response, lower idle and most importantly for the environment less fuel consumption for this exciting new engine. Now a little history lesson. 1920 The company was founded in Dresden, Germany as ROTAX-WERK AG. 1930 Taken over by Fichtel & Sachs AG, the company transfers its operations to Schweinfurt/Germany. 1943 The company’s operations are relocated to Wels, Austria.1947 The company’s operations get relocated to Gunskirchen near Wels.1959 This year sees LOHNERWERKE GmbH of Vienna acquiring a majority shareholding. 1962 For the first time, a ROTAX engine is installed in a Ski-Doo snowmobile developed by bombardier. 1970 This year sees integration of Bombardier and ROTAX. The former Bombardier Inc. branch BRP, now an independent company, uses ROTAX engines in its motorcycles, personal water craft, and snowmobiles. 1977 High orders of snowmobile spare engines ROTAX® 185, 248, 284, 294 are also used in Ultralight aircraft. 1978 Ultralight engines 501, 505 developed (based on snowmobile engine 503). 1982 The company begins development of ROTAX 4-stroke aircraft engines, a landmark in ROTAX history.1983 The company starts producing ROTAX motorcycle engines for APRILIA. 1984 Start of sales of ROTAX 912 engines. 1988 The company starts producing ROTAX marine engines for Bombardier Sea-Doo watercraft. 1989 Type certificate for ROTAX 912A. 1993 The company starts producing ROTAX motorcycle engines for BMW, Germany. 1994 Type certificate for ROTAX 912F. 1996 Type certificate for ROTAX 914F. 1998 Type certificate for ROTAX 912S. 1998 The company starts producing ROTAX engines for Bombardier ATVs. 2000 The company begins initiation of The ROTAX Quality Production System (RQPS). 2001 Launching of ROTAX 4-TEC 4-stroke engines for Sea-Doo watercraft. 2002 This year witnesses the launch of the new 2-stroke semi-direct electronic injection technology: ROTAX 2-TEC engines for Ski-Doo snowmobiles, plus the launch of the ROTAX Kart RM1 with direct drive (without chain).2003 Sale of Recreational Products Group by Bombardier Inc.; Foundation of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) with BRP-ROTAX as part of the new company. 2003 Approving BRP-ROTAX as International Design Organization according to JAR-21, the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA).2005 85th anniversary of ROTAX is celebrated and 35 years with BRP.2005 912 / 914 Series compliant to Light Sport Aircraft ASTM Standards.2006 Production of the 6 millionth ROTAX engine. 2006 582 engine compliant to Light Sport Aircraft ASTM standards. 2008 ROTAX stars manufacturing the 1125 cc Helicon liquid-cooled, four-stroke, fuel-injected 72˚ V-Twin for the Buell Motorcycle Company. 2009 912 Series TBO (Time Between Overhauls) increased from 1500 hours to 2000 hours2010 914 Series TBO increased from 1200 hours to 2000 hours2012 Release of the new ROTAX 912 IS engine More than 150,000 ROTAX Aircraft Engines have been sold since 1973. Today, ROTAX manufacture the 582 engine series (2-stroke) and the 912 / 914 engine family (4-stroke). All these engines are approved for use with Ethanol 10 fuel, MOGAS and AVGAS. Considering the approved usage of MOGAS and the low fuel consumption the fuel costs of a ROTAX 912 series engine are up to 50 % lower than for a comparable 100 hp air-cooled piston engine. With low operating costs, leading class power to weight ratio, well known reliability, it is no surprise that ROTAX Aircraft Engines are the first choice of more than 200 aircraft manufacturers worldwide and today Pipistrel is proud to be involved as the release aircraft manufacturer for this new exciting milestone for sport aviation.

Roger Lee
LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
520-349-7056 Cell

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