Pilot

July 2003

 

"Aerofair debut for Wilksch diesel"

"THE FIRST PRODUCTION Wilksch WAM-120 diesel engine took to the air in a Thorp T211, G-TZII, in May.  Two days later, the aircraft was flown to North Weald for Aerofair where the latest version of the engine was also on display.

Production of the Wilksch engine starts in earnest this month with five units being completed in both June and July, said Mark Wilksch, designer of the engine.  The rate of engine production then rises month by month until the current factory's capacity of 20 per month is reached in December "In 2004, we move to a new factory and we will he increasing production to 1,000 units a year," said Wilksch.

A more powerful four-cylinder version producing 160 hp is in the final stages of development and Wilksch expects to start shipping it in March 04.  "There's a lot of demand from people building Van's aircraft such as the RV-7 and RV-8.  The WAM-160 is 5 kg lighter than a Lycoming O-320 and produces the same power using less fuel.  The turbocharger gives it better performance at altitude." Wilksch has yet to make a decision on whether to develop a 200 hp five-cylinder version.

Wilksch is making the engines for kitplanes "tamper-proof", with a special tensioner required to remove cylinder head bolts.  "There are a range of skills among kitplane builders," said Wilksch.  "Some are aircraft mechanics, some aren't.  All engines sold will be a modular package.  All the builder has to do is bolt the engine to four mounting points, add two fuel lines and connect the wiring loom." In addition, each engine has a datalogger as part of its Cl-log instrument panel.  The data is downloaded and sent by email to the factory.  All engines will have to be returned to the factory for overhaul.

Certification of the WAM-120 is also being sought.  Initially, this will be for day VER training enabling the engine to be retro-fitted to two-seat aircraft such as a Cessna 150/152 and Piper Tomahawk.  This process is expected to be completed by the end of 2003.

The flights with the first production engine in the T211 took place at Cranfield.  The test pilot commented on the simplicity of operating the WAM-120 and the smooth, turbine-like delivery of power, according to Wilksch.  "The patented MCU (Mechanical Control Unit) enabled the fuel system to achieve a stable idle and easy engine control during all phases of flight," he said.

"Four flights were completed enabling evaluation of cooling and setting of the propeller pitch.  A 1,000 fpm climb was achieved with acceptable margins on coolant and oil temperatures and the aircraft near its maximum take-off weight.  Acceleration was brisk with the Thorp airborne in only 150 metres."  The Thorp will now complete a 25-hour test programme before being handed back to its syndicate."