Press Release

Wilksch Diesel Engine Leads The World

In a report just published by GAMTA (the General Aviation Manufacturers & Traders Association), Britten-Norman’s Mark Wilson (author of the report) has produced an important statement on the demand and availability of the next generation General Aviation aero-engines. The report highlights the need for a new generation of aero engines to replace the outdated gas-guzzling technology currently available.

In a marketplace largely dominated by the big two in the USA (Textron-Lycoming and Teledyne Continental) and new aspirant Renault in France, it is satisfying to report that the world leader in this new development is a small but highly motivated UK company based in Milton Keynes. Led by former Cosworth and Arrows Formula 1 engineer Mark Wilksch, and supported by grants from the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), Wilksch Airmotive Limited is at an advanced stage of development of an all-new 2-stroke diesel-powered engine having already completed an extensive workshop test programme involving more than 250 hours of bench testing and several flights in a Piper Cub. The test pilot of the aircraft was reported as being "very pleased with the handling and overall performance" of the aircraft fitted with the new powerplant.

With GA emerging from many years in recession, increased aircraft sales are providing an added stimulus to many aero-engine developments. With the anticipated short-term life expectancy of AVGAS 100LL and a need for more environmentally friendly propulsion for all modes of transportation there is an increasing level of interest in new aero-engine development.

The GAMTA report highlights four distinct groups of engine developments: up to 120hp for the small kit, homebuilt and VLA; 120hp to 220hp for the private, training and club aircraft; 220hp to 300hp for GA commercial operations; and over 300 hp to provide competition with low end turbo-props. Most of the development work undertaken by the American and French companies has concentrated on the latter three groups leaving the way open for Wilksch Airmotive to exploit the lighter end of the market.

One man keeping a very close eye on this section of the market is Europa designer Ivan Shaw. With sales of the Europa now well over 500 aircraft, Europa Aviation are very keen to incorporate modern engine technology into their advanced airframe designs. The initial weight and balance study has been satisfactorily completed and Europa plan to have one of the engines installed for flight testing in a Europa XS in 1999. Ivan Shaw feels "the proposed 120hp 3-cylinder Wilksch aircraft diesel engine is the most exciting development we have heard about in a long time".

The GAMTA report identifies an initial demand "of between 2,000 and 4,000 units" in the short term, "with demand rising to 10,000 units a year" but at present, industry is sceptical about this level of activity. What the report clearly identifies is that "with the small numbers of units sold per year, automation in aviation manufacture is much more difficult to justify than that in other engineering industries. Therefore, the small company can still bring a competitive product to the market; frequently faster than the larger competition".

......enter Wilksch Airmotive Limited.

5 October 98