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Two years ago the Zanzottera line of aircraft engines, which have been
available in Europe for a number of years were introduced into North
America. Last year the factory moved from Italy to Vernon British Columbia
Canada. This year at Sun N Fun the factory owner and engine designer Guido
Zanzottera was on hand to introduce the new U.S. distributor Planet Aviation.
The Zanottera engines are all air cooled. They range in horsepower from
20 to 95, with the smaller hp engines being single cylinder, the mid range
engines twin
 cylinder and the 90 hp three cylinders. The engines
come complete from the factory with dual ignition, carbs, exhaust,
redrive, airfilters, electric start, and rectifier. According the the
factory the engines are also available with fuel injection, and are
currently being used in both tractor and pusher configurations. Zanottera
also produces a line of radial engines called Konig. These are available
in 3 and four cylinder radial models. At Sun N Fun he had on display a new
20 hp single cylinder proto type engine that he is working on for use in
motorized paragliders.
The Zanzottera line of engines have a 6 month warranty, with a lifetime
warranty on crankshafts. TBO on the engines is 500 hours, with replacement
items at this time being only pistons and rings. According to Guido one of
the reasons for this is the use of "ceramic coated cylinders"
which allow for more "temperature stress." The reason he does
not have a line of liquid cooled engines is "the air is free and
without weight."
Production of Zanottera engines is still in Italy "because of the
quality of material suppliers," currently the factory employs 8
people in production in Italy. The engine parts are then crated and
shipped to Canada where they are assembled and test run.
A engine training course for dealers and distributors is being
scheduled for mid summer. Planet Aviation who will be hosting the course, has been appointed the U.S.
distributor for the Zanottera line of engine, and distributors for Central
and South America will be announced in the coming months.
For more information contact:
Planet Aviation
W8407 Cottonville Dr.
Wautoma Wisconsin
54982 |
