Light Aircraft Association

Hello there! Does anyone have the latest news on the progress of the Wilksch diesel engine and in particular the WAM 160. Is it ever going to be a reality? Any news would be helpful. Andrew...

I have a WAM-120 installed in an RV-9A. I know of 5 other WAM-120 / RV-9's currently flying, 4 of them in the UK. There are around 20 WAM-120 engines in total flying and about twice that number delivered. We're currently getting 125 kts TAS at 6000ft on 15 lts/hr of jet A1 from our installation.

Wilksch's current development efforts are on a "big-bore" version of the WAM-120 which will use the same 3-cylinder block casting but have a bigger displacement and a range of other improvements. The "big bore" will probably be delivered at 135hp. There is no firm date for big bore delivery, but "next year" looks like the best guess.

I have heard nothing about the WAM-160 for ages, perhaps once the big bore engine is in production a 4-cylinder engine will be next in line for development.

Dave

Dave, thanks for the info, but are you happy with your engine, have you any concerns about support etc, Andrew.

We're pretty happy with the engine. Our aircraft is a bit slow for an RV, but still quicker than anything else I've flown. Two things I do notice is a throttle lag as the turbo speeds up and smokiness at full power. The smokiness should be improved by the big-bore engine.

Wilksch have been very helpful & I'm happy with the level of support, however it is quite a new engine and we have had a few problems to deal with both with developing our installation and with a couple of development issues with the engine.

Overall I'm happy with the choice we've made - and flying an RV for a £12/hr fuel cost reinforces that decision every time I go flying.

Dave

Dave, thanks for that you have been very helpful. Andrew.

Are Wilksch still in business? My understanding is that they have sold about 40 engines in four years and that at one point they had about 20 staff.
Their website does not appear to have been updated for ages and they never advertise.

Do they run on fresh air !!

Hi

Wilksch are still in business and are providing support to all the owners.

Our RV9A tops out at 160mph, cruise is 130 to 140mph an 17 litres an hour. (We have a different cowl intercooler set up to Daves 9)

Its a very nice combination.

Steve

They are at Gloucester Airport nowadays.

Steve

Do they still sell engines? I have not seen any prices on their website?

I have sent them 3 emails but no response. Andrew.

I got an Email from them on Friday - so they're still there!

Wilksch are not selling engines at the moment - production is suspended until the"big bore" engine is released. Perhaps that's why they're not that quick to respond to sales Emails. You could try telephoning them.

Did you see the news release about the Liberty XL2 with the WAM-120 at Oshkosh?

http://www.loop.aero/LPA1412/WILKSCH+DI ... Y+XL2.aspx

Dave

I asked Wilksch for an update on the WAM 160 and got this reply within a couple of mins - I thought it was worth sharing .....

"The WAM 160 is designed but we have not put tooling down yet as we are currently developing a bigger bore higher power version of our WAM 120. Once this is released we can then carry the technology across to the 4Cyl which we plan to be between 160 and 180 HP.

This all takes time but we are hoping to have the first big bore 3 Cyl
engine with trial customers later this year.

We have various people with RV7 and 8's wanting engines but non have
progressed further than deposits so far as we do not have a firm
delivery date for that engine.

We are currently shipping WAM 100 and WAM 120's"

Thanks to Martin Long of Wilksch Airmotive Ltd.