GA Buyer Europe

August 2001

 

"General Aviation Engines

Wilksch Airmotive Limited"

"Wilksch Airmotive Limited (WAM), a Milton Keynes. UK, based company is in the process of producing an advanced two stroke diesel engine for light aircraft. Wilksch believe that the engine will be beneficial, creating cheaper, safer and simpler light avi­ation. A particularly interesting aspect of the Wilksch-CITEC engine is that it allows the use of diesel and jet fuels, while weighing no more than traditional Avgas burning engines. The project is well advanced, the test flight stage having been conducted in 1997dunng which a Piper Cub airframe was used.

The WAM-CITEC is claimed to be technically advanced and part of a family of engines covering a range of power outputs and aircraft types. The Company has announced that the first production version will be the WAM-1 20, a 1 2Ohp engine capable of powering Permit aircraft broadly in the VLA category, like the Thorp-T21 1, Pelican PL and Vans RV-9 along with some sub VLA types like the Europa. A certified version is also planned and WAM is already working with producers of certified airframes to develop installations. The engine's dimensions also facilitate retrofitting to existing FAR 23 aircraft types like the Cessna 152 as an attractive option. The engine is said to be "installation compatible" with the Lycoming 0-235 and Continental 0-200/240. Wilksch Airmotive will be seeking to exploit the two and four seat market.

The installation of a prototype, the WAM-120 three cylinder engine has been fully installed on a Europa kit-plane. The installation is the result of a joint effort between Wilksch Airmotive and a development partner, which has resulted in a well integrated package with greatly reduced operating costs. Test flying of the WAM-Europa (monowheel) commenced in 1999 and is ongoing.

Wilksch Airmotive Limited achieved Millennium Product status with the diesel engine.

Designed to run on diesel or jet kerosene fuels, this power plant offers significant sav­ings in running costs, due to the reduction in fuel cost resulting from the switch to turbine fuel - typically 3:1 in European countries. Benefits also extend to the environ­ment, with the total elimination of lead emissions, coupled with substantial reductions in the output of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.

The engine is liquid-cooled, which is advantageous in terms of thermal and management, in particular the avoidance of shock cooling. Quiet and smooth running in the full range of revs, the engine reduces or eliminates many in4light tasks, making pilot operation easy. During testing, the engine was noted especially for its smooth delivery of power and low levels of cockpit noise and vibration

The first production batch of WAM-CITEC engines is due to be delivered later this year with engines being assigned throughout Europe.

Several new installations are currently underway by appointed Development Partners who are being assisted by Wilksch Airmotive and include the Europa, LongEz, Jodel 1050 and D11, Thorp T21 1 and Pelican PL.

Preliminary engine details for the WAM-120 outline a uniflow scavenged 2-stroke CITEC operating cycle. The target weight for the WAM-1 20 is 100 kg, and the oil sys­tem features a pressure fed wet slump, while the engine is liquid cooled with an inte­gral heat exchanger (radiator).

Looking ahead, the company has revealed plans for a 4-cylinder WAM-1 60, offering capabilities of around 160 hp. Wilksch Airmotive estimates that the WAM 160 will weigh 50 lb less than traditional Avgas air cooled engines."