The Aviator HFA is currently being developed in New Zealand by the creator of the Aerotwin 65hp engine (Bill White), as a suitable 4 stroke replacement for the now unavailable Rotax 503.
All the components have now come together and the engine is currently being assembled and should be on the dyno sometime this week if all goes to plan.
The engine will be using most of the electronic components and gearbox of the Aerotwin 65hp engine.
THE SPECS:
4 stroke 2 cylinder Horizontally Opposed OHV 2 valves/cyl.
Bore: 94.0mm Stroke: 69.0mm
Capacity: 957cc (58.40 cu.in)
Cooling: Forced Air
Compression Ratio: 8.75:1 130-140 psi
Output: 50-60hp
TBO: expected 1000 hours.
Weight: approx. 35kg (77 lbs), with the Aerotwin gearbox approx. 45kg (99lbs) total. + oil tank.
This engine will be naturally aspirated, but can be turbocharged for altitude compensation.
The earlier version of this engine has already run for around 300 hours, with 150 hours on an aircraft.
The early version was a 60-70hp engine with a longer stroke. There were some o-ring issues in the early days, but these were soon resolved and continued with trouble free hours.
This engine will be installed into my Quicksiiver GT400 here in Newcastle sometime over the next few months, after we have had extensive dyno testing in New Zealand.
AVIATOR HFA UPDATE (JULY 13)
AFTER WAITING FOR THE FINAL BITS TO BE ADDED, BILL FINALLY KICKED THE ENGINE OVER IN THE WIND TUNNEL. ALL LOOKING GOOD.
WAITING FOR THE NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM TO BE FITTED BEFORE ANY FURTHER TESTS.
WILL KEEP YOU POSTED OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WITH SOME MORE PICS AND HOPEFULLY SOME VIDEO.
AVIATOR HFA UPDATE (SEPT 13)
Sorry for the delay in updates, I have been off on another project plus the SAAA Airshow at Narromine.
We are currently working on the exhaust system to complete the HFA, which will be mounted on top of the engine, which should be finalised next week.
Since the last update we have decided to do a wet sump version (see attached pic of the newly arrived castings). This will eliminate the need for a separate oil tank and associated pipes for some or most applications, and in theory should bolt on and fit in the same space as the Rotax 503. We are looking at offering a gearbox (from the Aerotwin) or a belt drive.
Bill has had the usual delays in Christchurch trying to get things done, with the manufacturing industry depleted to almost nothing since the big earthquake. Very hard to get things done, but he is continuing to move forward with the projects. All looking good for all the bits to come together for a serious session on the dyno and the wind tunnel.
Her is a sneak peek of another engine we are working on.
a V8 fuel injected 4 stroke, around the same weight as a 914 and around 180 hp. A very sweet running engine.
One project at a time. One project at a time.
Update December 2103
The development of the Aviator HFA has slowed a bit due to a delay in getting the engineering done for the wet sump engine mountings. (For those who don’t know, Christchurch NZ, where the designer is based, is still getting aftershocks daily, and the count is now up to 30,000, which slows getting anything made, with many of the engineering trade deserting the city.) The engine itself has tested well on the dyno and wind tunnel, and we are currently designing the exhaust setup which will be mounted above the engine. Hoping to get the first wet sump engine on my GT400 in January, which will be a wet sump belt drive engine.
Update June 2103
The Aviator HFA is getting a bit closer, the final bits that we need to complete the engine are getting closer to the end of the cue at the engineers and should be on the engine with the next week. It is very frustrating getting anything done in Christchurch, so we just have to be patient.
Check out the RA-Aus Magazine article. (click above)
AVIATOR HFA