An innovative engine being watched with eager anticipation by pilots and airframe manufacturers has been scrapped by Rotax, a division of Bombardier Recreational Products.
The liquid cooled REV V-6 will reach certification this month, according to a BRP-Rotax statement, but will not be manufactured and marketed. Neither is the technology for sale, said Luc de Gaspe Beaubien of Aircraft Engine Services, the engine’s would-be marketer. BRP-Rotax intends simply to shelve it, he said.
“We have come a long way with the V-6 engine and are proud of what we accomplished,” said Geerd Ohrnberger, general manager of BRP-Rotax, adding that the firm has chosen to concentrate on “powersports” products which, apparently, do not include the new engine. Rotax will continue to manufacture and sell its familiar 912 and 914 aircraft engines, however.
Beaubien commented that BRP-Rotax probably was concerned about product liability for the new engine. Industry speculation is that BRP-Rotax is planning to issue public stock and believes that prospective investors would, indeed, be intimidated by liability concerns.
GAN exchanged several voice mail messages with Ohrnberger, who is based in Austria, but no conversation had taken place by press time, so the speculation remains simply that.
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