Two Stroke Helicopter Engine Options

Helicopter Engine Options – Two Stroke

The following information contains brief reviews of the most popular two stroke helicopter engine options and two stroke aircraft engines with links to the manufacturers pages (for further information).

We start with an unusual but promising release from a long standing aircraft industry company, the “traditionally four stroke” aircraft engine manufacturer – Lycoming.

While I have yet to see any further information than that presented here, we believe that with the technical resources of the EL-060 aircraft engines manufacturer, Lycoming – there might finally be a more reliable and technically advanced two stroke ultralight aircraft engine on the market.

This is assuming the heavy fuel two stroke drone engine will be released to the general public – and how Lycoming would handle distribution and maintenance.

Lycoming EL-060 Engine Released

2nd March 2013 Avalon International Airshow – Australia

High Performance Multi-Fuel Aircraft Engine

The Lycoming EL-060 looks like a better option for those wanting to build an ultralight helicopter or rather, light experimental helicopter such as the AW95 by Doug Schwochert, Osvaldo Durana’s Furia helicopter – also known as the Cicare CH5 helicopter, and the SkyLark helicopter by Vortech. Three cylinder engines are known for generation lots of “fluid” torque as with the Suzuki Geo Metro auto engine conversions by Raven Redrives.

Based in Williamsport, PA, Lycoming is the world’s premier manufacturer of certified four stroke piston aviation engines. For more than 80 years, Lycoming has designed, manufactured, tested and provided worldwide support for products of legendary reliability flying in thousands of aircraft and millions of flight hours (combined).

It is with great pleasure we announce the latest addition to the Lycoming aircraft engine range. Primarily designed for the military in UAV applications, we hope to see the new three cylinder two stroke Lycoming EL-060 engine find it’s way to the sports aircraft and rotorcraft arena. Though currently Lycoming has no plans to do so as the engine was designed specifically for drone use.

It basically is a two stroke set up similar to a diesel where the sump provides separate lubrication avoiding the need for pre-mix fuels that has many draw backs such as fowling plugs, engine seizures and accelerated fuel degradation. Gone are the days of having to carry two stroke oil, messy measuring and mixing on every refuel.

Lycoming EL-060 Aircraft Engine Features

▣ Lycoming Engines reliability – advanced technical design & precision engineering.

▣ Multi-Fuel Compatible – Operates on JP4, JP5, JP8, AVGAS, MOGAS

▣ Low parts count – resulting in more reliability, less failures, easy maintenance.

▣ Two accessory drive pulleys – minimal belts, optional add-on component drive.

▣ Computer-controlled fueling and oiling – accurate and fully automated.

▣ Electronic control unit (ECU) – modern, reliable and compact engine management.

Lycoming developed the multi-fuel EL-060 in response to specific customer design and performance requirements for a UAV application (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle).

The inline 3-cylinder liquid cooled two-stroke engine provides a well balanced propulsion system with excellent power-to-weight ratio and flexibility in mounting and prop drive configuration. The design also allows for optimized cooling drag and acoustic signature.

Lycoming EL-060 Engine Specifications

▣ Rated Engine Performance: Power – 63 hp @ 6,000 rpm (HF operation)

▣ Configuration: Inline 3 – cylinder liquid cooled two stroke

▣ Fuel: JP4, JP5, JP8, AVGAS or MOGAS. Can operate with carburetor (gasoline only) or with direct-injection systems

▣ Engine Mount: Mount position can be varied – Engine can be supplied with custom mounts

▣ Weight: 60lbs. (includes manifold and injection system)

▣ Optional Equipment: Engine has two drive pulleys for alternator and accessory drives

▣ Approximate costing as per Avalon airshow display 2013, $6,000 AUD – Australian Dollars

▣ Designed for 72 hour continuous operation – no TBO information currently available

▣ Contact your local Lycoming dealer for further information or Lycoming direct

The narrow lines of the Lycoming EL-060 two stoke engine make it perfect for ultralight aircraft use. The heavy fuel Lycoming EL-060 two stoke engine is designed with integrated parts for less problems.

Lycoming EL-060 Engine Sports Aircraft

My personal opinion… A two stroke with sump lubrication can only mean no more fowled plugs and less likelihood of stale fuel issues due to oil mixing.

The engine is small, VERY lightweight and similar in costing to current aircraft two stroke aircraft engines so a viable choice.

The engine was designed for harsh military drone usage by an extremely reputable aviation engine manufacturing company that has been around for many years.

Lycoming already has a worldwide support network established assuring confidence in your purchase.

Can’t wait to see experimenters adaptions of this engine, especially in helicopters that require a higher margin of reliability.

Installed performance figures would be great to see – the proof will be in the flying!

I really don’t think that Lycoming are going to be so forthcoming in releasing this engine to the public for experimental use, especially if they have military contracts on this engine.

I dare say they would be hard pressed to keep it from the sports aircraft industry who will be more than willing to give it a thorough test in everything, or anything that flies!

In terms of sales numbers alone, if the engine is as good as presented – it could dominate the market and replace many a hard worked Rotax, Hirth or other standard two stroke engine.

It has been two (2) years since I saw the a spark-ignition multi-fuel two-stroke EL-060 presented at the airshow, and as of the time of reviewing this engine, the only industry chatter has been in military forums from around 2013.

Time will tell, watch this space…

Dimensional Specifications Of The Lycoming EL 060 Aircraft Engine

---

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE: Click to download the PDF version of the Official Lycoming EL-060 Engine Brochure (12.1MB High Resolution)

---

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE: Click to download the PDF version of the Official Lycoming EL-060 Engine Brochure (3.0MB Low Resolution)

---

Compact Radial Engines

Formerly manufactured by Zanzottera, these lightweight air-cooled two stroke engines have found recent popularity with their new manufacturer as standard running gear on the Mosquito Air single seat ultralight kit helicopter fitted with the 2 cylinder MZ 202.

The Mosquito XE sports kit helicopter is available with either the MZ 202 or the 3 cylinder MZ 301 two stroke engine models.

The two stroke Compact Radial Engines have become very popular with aviators due to their successful use in the kit helicopter industry and proven reliability in other ultralight aircraft, over and above other establish two stoke engine manufacturers.

SPECIFICATIONS	MZ-202
Bore	76 mm	76 mm
Stroke	69 mm	69 mm
Displacement	626 cc	940 cc
Rotation	Anti-clockwise from PTO	Anti-clockwise from PTO
Cooling	Direct drive forced fan system	Direct drive forced fan cooled system
Ignition	Double electronic	Inductive system with program
Fuel Metering	Dual carburetors (Bing 54 Standard)	Carburetors (Bing 54)
Starter	Electric	Electric
Generator	180 watt	180 watt
Max brake output	60 HP @ 5800RPM	85 HP @ 5800RPM
Max permissible RPM	6250 RPM	6250 RPM
Lubrication	Oil (Castrol TTS) in unleaded gas 50:1	Oil (Castrol TTS) in unleaded gas 50:1
Reduction ratio’s available (gear box)	2.18, 2.55, 2.88, 3.11, 3.66 to 1	2.18, 2.55, 2.88, 3.11, 3.66 to 1
Complete engine weight	40 kg (87 lbs) incl. reduction, electric starter, exhaust	53 kg (117 lbs) incl. electric starter, muffler

This is the base engine for that particular helicopter and has found popularity in it’s reliability, especially when compared to recent failures such as the Mini 500 helicopter that used the more well known Rotax two stroke engines.

The Compact Radial MZ range of aircraft engines has a growing following with it’s high quality finish and appealing specifications.

For further information, visit Compact Radial Engines direct.

Hirth Motors

Hirth have continued as the primary alternative to the Rotax two stroke engine though have been dogged by mixed reports of reliability, service and support. They offer many great options in their range of engines and gearboxes.

Local suppliers seem to always be helpful in my experience dealing with them both in Australia and the USA though the USA dealer seems to be the only reliable company with many other international “dealers” changing hands.

When two strokes aircraft engines are run with ALL recommended maintenance and performance parameters adhered to, they can be a reasonable power plant.

I would always oversize an engine and have it running at less than 100% capacity to keep a little something in reserve and not push an engine to its limits. This should be relatively easy with their range of engines beginning at 15 hp right through to 110 hp.

For further information, visit Hirth Aircraft Engines direct.

---

Rotax Aircraft Engines

Rotax have a long and well known history, especially in the snow mobile (Bombardier) and now jet ski sports dominating the market for many years.

Rotax were one of the major players in the experimental aircraft industry but have since dialled back production of their aircraft engine line to the two stroke 582 (65HP/48KW @6500 RPM – max) and the four stroke 912/914 (79HP / 58.9KW @ 5500 RPM to 100HP / 73.5KW @ 5500 RPM continuous) models.

There is no need to further discuss this well known engine here as much has been written in books, magazines and on the internet covering every aspect of this once dominant two stroke aircraft engine range.

For further information, visit Rotax Engines direct.

---

MICROFLIGHT PRODUCTS CARBURETOR HEATER

Carburetor icing can now be prevented with the new, unique, carburetor heating device for Rotax engines equipped with Bing 54 series single or dual carburetors.

Powered right off the lighting coil, the unit adds a small amount of heat to the carburetor body, keeping its temperature above the freezing point. There is no significant heating of the actual intake air, so there’s very little loss of full engine power when carburetor heat is switched on.

Power reduction caused by the small electrical load is also very minor, allowing carburetor heat to be left “switch on” all the time, if desired, without detrimental effect on the engine, or on engine performance.

Microflight’s Carburetor Heater is furnished complete with heater, sensor module, indicator lamp, switch, wiring, and installation instructions. The existing air cleaner re-installs over the unit so that little, if any, retrofitting of other components is necessary. Single carburetor kits and dual carburetor kits were available (March 1992)

---

Simonini Two Stroke Engines

While making a name for themselves amongst the European flying community, Simonini is yet to “take off” in the USA (or countries outside Europe) even though there are some flying already.

SIMONINI SPECIFICATIONS	VICTOR 2 PLUS TWO STROKE HELICOPTER ENGINE	VICTOR 2 SUPER TWO STROKE HELICOPTER ENGINE
Bore	80 mm	82 mm
Stroke	76 mm	76 mm
Displacement	764 cc	802 cc
Compression Ratio	9.5:1	9.5:1
Flying Weight	52 kg	52 kg
Fuel Consumption	9 lt/h	10 lt/h
Static Thrust	210 kg	220 kg
Power at 6200 rpm	102 hp	110 hp
Ratios available	1:254 – 1:276 – 1:306 – 1:347 – 1:4

There Victor 2 aircraft engine product looks great on paper with exciting performance figures though there are not enough on the market yet to provide reliable feedback (though sales are increasing).

For further information, visit Simonini Engines direct.

---