Does anyone have experience with rotary powered light sport aircraft?
 I know Austro makes the AE50R which from what I understand is in the
 under 80 lb weight range with a "no loss lubrication system" and is
 currently working on an 80 horsepower rotary to "replace" a Rotax 912
 80hp. Anyone know anything about these? Are there other less
 expensive options I haven't found yet?

 Jenn Kimball

 Nothing certified other than the Austro Engine. Over 500 of the 50 HP
  versions have been sold to Alexander Schleicher   motor gliders .

 LSA requires certification. There may be an LSA experimental
 category. I am not really all that up on the rules.


 Lots of Mazda one rotors however.

 What did you hear about 80 horsepower rotary to "replace" a Rotax
 912?

 Paul Lamar



 Interesting. They do seem like a great option for powered
 sailplanes. There is an experimental LSA category, or, E-LSA as they
 call it. There's also S-LSA which is "special" LSA (no idea).

 I heard Austro began development of the AE80R in 2010 based on the
 AE50R. The first running test was in 2013. The company says it's
 supposed to weigh about 60 lbs and is marketing it toward the light
 sport/microlight type aircraft market, and UAV's. Austro said nothing
 about when it's going to be on the market... yet.

 I'll be looking into using a Mazda one rotor for the little project I
 found. :-)

 Jenn Kimball

What is really sad is Austro Engines has a nice 110 HP 2 rotor that is FAA certified.
For some strange reason they refuse to sell it.  The rotor is air cooled
with a fan. Not charged or oil cooled (like Mazda).
That fan HP required destroys the BSFC.

Instead Austro certified a Mercedes Bens A class European econo box 4 cylinder diesel.
Same as Theilert. At TBO time you throw it away as the FAA does
not want you to go to your MB car dealer and buy parts and over haul
your diesel aircraft engine.

Austro engines is part of Diamond Aircraft and they make a twin training aircraft.
The FAA requires twin time for fledgling air line pilots. The FAA did not
specif the speed of the twin so it will putz around at 50% power burning very
little fuel :-)

Those FBO's using them for air line pilot win training purposes can save a lot
of money and make more profit. Out of 70 MPH on final for the twin to 200 MPH
in a jet on final in one easy step :-)

Claims
50% power 7.2 gallons per hour 135 KTS 155 MPH
60% power 8.8 gallons per hour 138 KTS  159 MPH
90% power 14.4 gallons per hour 163 KTS  187 MPH

135 HP each or 270 HP total

14.4 gallons is 99 pounds of diesel fuel per hour or BSFC = .4 pounds per HP hour.

50% power is 135 HP

7.2 GPH or  50 pounds of diesel fuel per hour or BSFC .37 pounds per HP hour.

Paul Lamar

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