In an e-mail to the aviation magazine aerocourier Rotax emphasised that the solutions proposed by the air sports club were along the same lines as the company's ongoing investigations. "We appreciate this support and communication," Rotax explained, adding that the association's suggestions provided valuable information. Nevertheless, the engine manufacturer emphasised that further measurements and test flights were necessary to identify the definitive causes of the problems encountered.
Background to the problem
The discussion about possible malfunctions in Rotax engines has gained momentum after several incidents involving loss of power, particularly during the take-off phase, were reported. These incidents led to intensive investigations by the manufacturer and a growing concern in the aviation community. Rotax responded to the reports by setting up a special task force dedicated solely to investigating these issues.
According to its own information, this task force is investigating all reported and documented cases in detail. In its statement, Rotax emphasised that the investigations are being carried out in close cooperation with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the respective aircraft manufacturers. "Our main focus is on recreating the loss of performance in order to identify the cause beyond doubt," the company explained. So far, however, it has not been possible to trace the problem directly back to the engine itself. Instead, the investigations to date indicate that possible causes can be found in the fuel-side system of the airframe, such as the installation of fuel filters or impurities in the fuel.
Close cooperation with aircraft manufacturers
In its announcement, Rotax also referred to the intensive cooperation with aircraft manufacturers such as Tecnam in order to analyse possible influences of the ignition module and its control in detail. These investigations are of particular importance, as they should help to fully understand the problem and develop solutions that ensure the safe and reliable operation of Rotax engines.
"We are currently focussing on conclusively assessing the possible influence of the ignition modules and their control within the coming weeks," Rotax continues. The aerocourier-The approaches mentioned in the report are certainly helpful, but require further measurements and test flights before a final assessment can be made.
Outlook and next steps
Whilst investigations continue, the ultimate cause of the power losses in some cases remains unclear. However, Rotax emphasises that so far no evidence has been found to suggest that similar problems could occur with other airframe manufacturers. The coming weeks and months will be crucial to resolve the existing uncertainties and make possible technical adjustments that can further improve the reliability of Rotax engines.
Rotax's commitment to this issue and willingness to work closely with the aviation community emphasises the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation in the aviation industry. The dialogue between manufacturers, aircraft builders and flying clubs remains a key element in ensuring safety and efficiency in general aviation.
Source references:
AeroCourier
