ROTAX 915 iS TURBO: THE BEATING HEART OF OUR ULTRALIGHT HELICOPTER
The Rotax 915 iS Turbo is the state-of-the-art engine powering our helicopter, and that’s what we’re diving into today. It’s a powerhouse of unmatched efficiency, performance, and fuel economy. At Lamanna Helicopters, based in the province of Padua, Italy, we pride ourselves on crafting ultralight helicopters, drawing on the expertise and skilled hands of our exceptional team.
As we mentioned in our introduction, our ultralight helicopter is the first in the world to feature this new engine. The decision to use this motor was driven by our builder’s intuition, recognizing the opportunity to significantly reduce fuel consumption while extending flight range, without sacrificing the helicopter’s final power output. The Rotax 915 iS Turbo builds on the previous model (the 914) with enhancements including fuel injection, new pistons, a new gearbox, a reinforced crankshaft, and a new turbocharger.
As you can gather from these first few lines, the Rotax 915 iS Turbo is packed with innovations and cutting-edge technology. Now, it’s time to dive into the technical details that make this engine so unique.
Before we proceed, we’d also like to share that just a few days ago (June 2021), the engine was awarded “Engine of the Year” in the light aviation sector for the second consecutive year by the German aviation magazine “Aerokurier.”
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE ROTAX 915 TURBO
The Rotax 915 iS is an Austrian-made aircraft engine, produced by Rotax in Gunskirchen, a company specialized in creating propulsion systems for ultralight helicopters and other aircraft.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the engine features a distinctive grey, black, and blue color scheme, while its aggressive look is enhanced by the visible exhaust manifold. In terms of technical characteristics and specifications, this engine, which can run on both unleaded gasoline and avgas with dual electronic ignition, comes equipped with a turbocharger and intercooler. Its key features include:
- Four horizontally-opposed cylinders, four-stroke
- Dual electronic ignition
- Turbocharged with stainless steel exhaust
- Air and liquid cooling system
- Mechanical gearbox with over-torque clutch
- Air intake system with intercooler
- Record-breaking range, thanks to the dual ECO and POWER management systems controlled by the ECU engine unit
- Lightweight, weighing only 84.6 kg, making it significantly lighter than other helicopter engines on the market
- Maximum engine power: 141 HP
- Exceptional power-to-weight ratio, providing full power during takeoff even at higher altitudes
- TBO (Time Between Overhauls): 1,200 flight hours
We are incredibly proud that our two-seat ultralight helicopter, ESCAPE, is the first in the world to be equipped with this cutting-edge Rotax 915 iS engine. The combination of our ESCAPE helicopter and the Rotax 915 iS results in an ultralight helicopter with record-breaking performance and fuel efficiency.
Before we wrap up this deep dive into the Rotax 915 iS, we invite you to watch a short video of the engine, created by the manufacturer, where you can admire its aesthetic beauty and aggressive design from every angle!
HOW TO CONTACT US
If you’re interested in learning more about our ultralight helicopter or have any questions or curiosities about the Rotax engine, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’re always available to respond to emails or arrange a meeting, either in person or via video conference.
At Lamanna Helicopter, we specialize in building and customizing helicopters to meet your unique needs, thanks to our team of industry experts. We’ll provide you with a tailored service based on your specific requirements. Fill out the form to the right, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!