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If you have been reading UltralightNews you have seen the coverage of
the Motavia engine from England. First introduced several years ago it
looked like this engine could be serious competition for the 582/618 and
912 Rotax.
The package as shown is neat and
compact, and looks to be well engineered. But
the engine was delayed for various reasons, and they lost one of their
major supporters their U.S. distributor. At Sun N Fun one engine was
flying on one trike! With engines according to the factory " being
delivered to ultralight manufacturers for installation on
aircraft."
Thus it was with a great deal of
surprise that the only Motavia engine at Airventure 99 was again only on
static display. NONE were flying on factory planes! Motavia
representatives indicated that they had delivered engines to ultralight
manufacturers! So why no engines flying - after all the Wankel people
were able to get 4 engines on planes.
A quick check with one manufacturer -
(who was to say it kindly "a little displeased" with Motavia)
indicated that yes he had received his engine, which he had paid for a
year earlier. Had installed it on his plane, only to have the gears in
the gear box shatter. He also felt that Motavia was not being up front
with him on this and other problems.
It will be interesting to see who has
the Motavia engine installed at Sun N Fun!
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