28 March 2023
It was an imperfectly kept secret. BRP-Rotax finally, officially, took the wraps off its new engine, the 160hp Rotax 916iS/c, at Sun ‘n Fun today.
The 916iSc is aimed at four-seater aircraft and for high performance two-seaters – such as the CubCrafters Carbon Cub UL which was the launch aircraft.
The 916iSc weighs at 85.8 kilograms and with a claimed max power of 160hp, it has an ‘unprecedented power-to-weight ratio in the light aircraft segment’. It’s also available with a 24-volt option.
Peter Ölsinger of BRP-Rotax said, “The launch of the 916iS/c is yet another testament to our commitment to developing ground-breaking technologies and creating the most advanced propulsion systems for our customers.
“For us, it was crystal clear that we had to build on the success of the 915 engine. We can now seize new opportunities in the four-seat market segment with a perfectly mature product and thus continue our steady growth of recent years.
“With the 916iS/c, we are responding to unmet customer needs and living up to the innovation philosophy of our long-standing company.”
Rotax says the new propulsion system features fully electronic iS technology for increased performance, greater efficiency and simplified maintenance and servicing. Maintenance and repairs can be carried out via the BUD system Aircraft (BRP Utility and Diagnostic Software for Rotax Aircraft Engines), in a similar way to the automotive industry. The TBO (Time Between Overhaul) at product launch is 2,000 hours.
CubCrafters’ new Carbon Cub UL is the launch customer for the Rotax 916iSc
The Rotax 916iS/c will be introduced to the European market at AERO Friedrichshafen, Germany from 19 to 22 April 2023.
