Aero 1000, 4 stroke, 39 HP, single cylinder ultralight aircraft propulsion system from Air Tech Inc.

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At Sun ‘n Fun 2022, Gene “Bever” Borne and son Ken of AirTech Inc., brought two Quicksilver models for display. One is a two seat Sport. The other a single seat, Part 103 capable Sprint.

In the Quicksilver product line, you have Sprint and Sport models; the former a single surface wing, the latter a double surface wing. Both use cable bracing for primary structures. The single surface weighs less and is less likely to break Part 103 speed limits. The Sport is a bit faster. Both models are offered in single seat or two seat varieties. For those who don’t want cable bracing Sprint 2S and Sport 2S are two seaters offered in strutbraced versions, hence the “S” designation.

A Sprint is most likely to make Part 103 weight but as a higher drag aircraft, it has relied on a strong enough twostroke engine to get the full performance envelope. Rotax discontinued the twincylinder, 40 horsepower 447 along with the more powerful 503 in 2010.

Introducing Aero 1000 A Fascinating “Collaboration”

You could hardly miss AirTech Inc’s airplane with its day glow orange and lime green coloration. The airplane was so bright I completely missed the engine until I returned for more… as promised in yesterday’s preview article.

Upon closer inspection, this Sprint model was powered by Aero 1000, a singlecylinder, fourstroke engine with impressive specs. AirTech said it outputs 39 horsepower — similar to the Rotax 447 — and is extremely economical on fuel.

“It also has a great sound,” said Ken Borne in our video interview about the engine.

How does a small displacement engine (250 cc) get that kind of power from one cylinder? Part of the magic is high revolutions. “This engine runs at 9200 rpm.” said Ken. The engine idles at 18002000 rpm, he added.

Is Aero 1000 a creation of AirTech, Inc., the longtime Quicksilver representative that now owns the rights? No, they didn’t originate this. That effort was done by Mike Robinson, owner and CEO of Blackhawk Paramotor USA. His powered paraglider company sells lots of “quads,” four wheel carriages for pilots who like powered paragliders but don’t want to rely on their legs for foot launching. (Blackhawk also makes foot launched models.)

Blackhawk’s search for the right engine for their quads lead them to an Swiss engine popular with cart racing enthusiasts. These racers push the engines hard and after years of working to improve the breed, the base engine has become very reliable.

Blackhawk later created a mount construction for the engine to be used on their quads.

Bever and Ken noticed this development at AirVenture Oshkosh where the two companies have sidebyside display spaces. They got to talking as vendors do at airshows. After Mike said some of his paraglider customers wanted to investigate fixed wing flying, Bever and Mike struck an agreement to try out the Blackhawk configuration on their Quicksilver line.

Bever said the final installed weight of the Aero 1000 with reduction drive and exhaust and all other components is about 15 pounds more than the Rotax 447 with its driveshaft and other hardware. Most pilots will readily give up 15 pounds of useful load to have fourstroke reliability and reduced noise.

Bever and Ken have fitted the Aero 1000 to their Sprint after building fairly simple hardware to support the engine — see nearby photos of engine and mounts.

When I asked if this particular aircraft with the Aero 1000 powering it honestly stays within Part 103 limits, Ken responded without hesitation, “Yes, it does.”

While AirTech conducts flight testing of the Sprint with Aero 1000, get more information on the engine from Blackhawk.

AirTech and their collaboration with Blackhawk may have hit a beautiful note with Aero 1000. Contact AirTech to inquire further.

Aero 1000
SPECIFICATIONS
information supplied by AirTech Inc.

Displacement — 250 cubic centimeters (cc)
Power Output — 39 horsepower
Fuel Delivery — Electronic fuel injection
Carburetor Adjustment — Electronic compensation
Reduction Drive — Belt drive with clutch
Cooling — Liquid
Efficiency — 1.2 gallons per hour at economy cruise
Quicksilver models run $23,500 for a complete (and very quick assembly) kit with engine (single seat Sprint) to $28,830 for a larger strut braced kit (two seat Sport 2S). In 2022, these models practically define “affordable.” Pricing has not yet been established for Aero 1000 on Quicksilver.

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