Yamaha are releasing an 850cc watercooled two stroke as a direct replacement
for similar Rotax units (even down to the engine mountings). Not only does
Yamaha have the extensive dealership network in place it is rumoured to be half
the price of the Rotax. Worth watching I think...
At the more exotic end there's the 70hp, air-cooled, V-twin, blown 2-stroke
aerodiesel from Zoche. The July issue of Flyer magazine waxed exceeding
lyrical about this power unit. It is smaller, considerably lighter, simpler,
easier to maintain and uses only about 60% of the fuel (which is half
the cost of petrol). It is not in full scale production yet but is
tipped to be a real winner.
Another interesting concept is the Mid West Aeroengines (nee Norton) rotary
engine. There was an issue of Flyer magazine in 1994 which had a look at it
fixed to an RV Super 2 (which, as Aviation Scotland with the RV2 kit
called the Highlander, has gone out of business).
Alan Jackson
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