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If you are a regular visitor to UltralightNews, you have probably read
various reports on the Motavia four stroke engine. When it was first introduced several
years ago at Sun N Fun it looked to be breaking new ground in four stroke aircraft engine
technology. Unfortunately, everything did not come together as planned!
For various
reasons, production that was supposed to take place two years ago is now just getting
started, with five engines now delivered, two into the U.S. and three other on tow
planes for gliders.
This was the first show in North America where I have seen the Motavia
engine up and flying on an aircraft, and on the first flight the engine
quit.
Unfortunately, for the manufacture one of the first things I
had to ask, was why the engine had failed. He was quick to point of
that the engine in fact had NOT failed, that one of its safety features had
been activated and the engine had saved itself.
What had actually happened was that an oil line fitting had
come lose, and the engine brought itself back to an idle. Once this happened the
pilot had two choices he could override the shutdown and continue on, or he could shut the
engine off and land.The choices was made to shut the engine off and land, tighten the oil
line and continue on.
Some other changes on the new model included dry sump oil tank, all of the
of plumbing is included in the engine, this allows for the engine to career run prior to
delivery with all of the accessories already fitted on, including a full wiring harness,
and to complete the package the customer can choose to use the optional instrument package
from Motavia. This includes oil pressure, oil level, water temperature, tachometer, hour
meter and ignition warning light, all on one nice neat little gauge. With the gauge tied
into the main computer which then reacts and warns the pilot if there's a problem.
An interesting thing about the Motavia engine is that it's crankcase
mounts are in the exact same location as a 582 Rotax. Which means a customer can on bolt
a 582 and bolt a Motavia right in. Another advantage of the Motavia engine is that
the engine turns the same way as a two stroke, which means in the conversion it is not
necessary to buy a new propeller, as long as it is an adjustable propeller, to take
advantage of the extra HP.
The engine comes complete with electric start, alternator,
reduction drive, dual ignition, fuel injection, four valves per cylinder,
radiator, stainless steel exhaust system, regulator, solenoid, fuel pump,
and wiring harness. This package complete ways in at at 139 lbs.
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