{"id":1454,"date":"2016-04-29T13:24:44","date_gmt":"2016-04-29T13:24:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rotaxnews.net\/?p=1454"},"modified":"2016-05-09T14:03:19","modified_gmt":"2016-05-09T14:03:19","slug":"aero-friedrichshafen-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rotaxnews.net\/?p=1454","title":{"rendered":"Aero Friedrichshafen 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Messehallen-Static<\/a>
Messehallen Aero<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Aero Friedrichshafen really is the opening event of the flying year in Europe. All though it is principally a static event, and lacks the pizazz of an airshow per se, it really is the focal point for all thing Aero to kick off another year.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This year, the event was made even better by three days of warm weather, which brought many visitors to the event (over 30,000). As always the stands were dominated by a strong Rotax Aircraft Engine presence, but with an added hybrid twist, not to mention the growth in \u2018special mod Rotax\u2019 options.<\/p>\n

Marc Becker from Rotax HQ, gave an update on the 915iS project. This 135Hp engine is still on schedule for public release in 2017, and the company has over 3000 test hours, including growing flight hours, on the engine.\u00a0 When asked about a public price, Marc indicated that such detail would be released through the various distributors in the new year, but that it would be in line with the current pricing on power\/weight\/$ ratios.<\/p>\n

One of the milestone differences of the 915iS engines is a new gearbox. Marc explained that the new gearbox is a response to market demands for a new generation of gearboxes. It is 2 inches (50mm) longer, hopefully reducing the growing number of prop-spacers, and also contains innovative improvements to energy management of the propeller.<\/p>\n

A number of stands made it clear that they were looking at a 915iS powered solution for next year, and none had a more impressive emplacement than the Shock Cub! Already offered with the other Rotax engines, the 915iS will surely make this aircraft a STOL winner. (http:\/\/www.zlinaero.com\/prodotti.php?id=17&lang=2<\/a> ) More details will surely follow.<\/p>\n

The Pipistrelle Hybrid solution is fascinating, and was displayed in the electric power section of the show. Using a Rotax 914UL, 115Hp engine, installed \u2018back to front\u2019 with a CNC machined gearbox driving an electrical generator, which then feed batteries to run the 270Hp electric motor at the pointy end!\u00a0 (http:\/\/www.panthera-aircraft.com\/technical-data<\/a> )The 6 coolant radiator array gives an indication of the challenge of heat management under the cowling, and with it the many wires and hoses that are used to bring this unusual marriage into harmony.<\/p>\n

Also in the electric arena, we found a \u201840Hp electric take off booster\u2019 being proposed for the Rotax engine range by one of the early hybrid innovators (http:\/\/axteraerospace.com\/projects\/<\/a> ).\u00a0 The added weight at the gearbox end, and the need for a chunky battery or two, may defeat much of the gain, but it is all about innovation, and holds promise for more exciting solutions in the future.<\/p>\n

Back in the petrol-head zone, we found another Rotax 914UL, with a custom injection installation (and repainted yellow rocker covers) claiming \u2018130Hp available now\u2019 from Tarragon (http:\/\/www.tarragonaircraft.com\/en\/specs\/engines\/<\/a>) .\u00a0 On another stand, this time with orange rockers, we found a 912ULS powered helicopter with another one off injector solution claiming 110Hp (http:\/\/www.dynali.com\/helicopter-specifications.php<\/a> )<\/p>\n

These installations, although they may not be \u2018in line with the installation manuals\u2019, demonstrate some magnificent engineering creativity and confidence in the Rotax Aircraft Engine range.\u00a0 Much as we are used to such \u2018innovation\u2019 in the home market, it is interesting to see it on the stands as a \u2018mainline product\u2019 on new aircraft for sale.\u00a0 As always, \u2018buyers beware\u2019 and ensure that safety is a prime factor in all your flying activities.<\/p>\n

On the family front, it was wonderful to see so many youngsters at the show (under 14\u2019s admitted free). The Messe (exhibition centre) provide 2 hours per day of FREE childcare for visitors\u2019 children (3-6 year olds can be unaccompanied, under 3\u2019s are welcome with an accompanier), in a fantastic play area.\u00a0 There are also many well equipped child changing areas for parents with younger children.\u00a0 The future of aviation lies in the hands of these youngsters, and it is fantastic to see them so well cared for at Aero.<\/p>\n

So, if you have not been to Aero before, put note in your diary for next year, and take the family!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Aero Friedrichshafen really is the opening event of the flying year in Europe. All though it is principally a static…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"__cvm_playback_settings":[],"__cvm_video_id":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[24],"class_list":["post-1454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aviation-news","tag-international","wpcat-13-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rotaxnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rotaxnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rotaxnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rotaxnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rotaxnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1454"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/rotaxnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1457,"href":"https:\/\/rotaxnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1454\/revisions\/1457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rotaxnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rotaxnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rotaxnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}