Aircraft Maintenance Technology

MAY 2016

The aircraft maintenance professional's source for technological advancements, maintenance alerts, news, articles, events, and careers

Issue link: http://amt.epubxp.com/i/679617

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 29 of 51

GENER AL AVIATION 30 MAY 2016 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY ome 41 years ago, in a remote 1975, the engine world of experimental aviation suddenly changed. What happened? Well, ROTAX ® engines showed up and quickly became favorite power-plants in a grassroots aviation field. Engines sales grew rap- idly and it was soon obvious that an appropriate training for user-owners, pilots, and servicing and maintenance personnel had to follow. Basically, what in the early 1980s was timidly initiated in single countries evolved into a complete world of training; not only in the U.S. but globally. HOW IT STARTED: THE SHORT ENGINES STORY The "new era" in the light aviation started in mid 1970s with the serial production of two-stroke engines built for aircraft use by ROTAX ® . Sales experienced a strong boost after the introduction of the 80-hp four-stroke ROTAX ® 912 engines in 1988 and over the years it has become an industrial standard in experimental and light aviation; later it evolved into a family of engines even in the certified engine world. DEAN VOGEL explains how the ROTAX" engine operates. THE ROTAX ® WORLD OF TRAINING The 912 engine has become an industrial standard in experimental and light aviation and training ensures proper use and maintenance practices By Marino Boric MARINO BORIC graduated with a university degree as an aeronautic engineer, and acquired degrees in business development/trade and commerce and journalism. He is a civil and military pilot and has built experimental aircraft. As a journalist, he specializes in aviation and propulsion and travels worldwide, flight-testing UL, LSA, Experimental, and certified aircraft. He is writing for U.S., European, and Chinese media companies. In the very beginning after the production start of the first two-stroke engines, ROTAX ® 642 in 1975 and the ROTAX ® 501/505 in 1978, which was made for motor gliders, it was difficult to predict the strong sales numbers experienced among the grassroots community. The introduction of the first four-stroke ROTAX ® 912/80-hp engine in 1989 was a milestone in small aviation, it has become the bestseller in the light aircraft. This engine — first ROTAX ® engine devel- oped specially for aviation — gave birth to a whole MARINO BORIC

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Aircraft Maintenance Technology - MAY 2016