Two decades into the new millennia, few aviation companies can claim impressive growth. In two decades, one company that everyone now recognizes as a climber is Cirrus Design and their successful SR-series of general aviation aircraft.
Back in 1998 many pilots were doubtful about Cirrus.
I was close to the company during these years. Over and over I heard statements such as: “They’ll never complete the design.” “They’ll never get FAA to approve it (especially with that parachute on board).” “They’ll never raise the money to produce it.” “They’ll never get production to a profitable level.” “They’ll never develop beyond a single model.” Those doubters were wrong on all counts.
Only a few years earlier, in 1992, Americans got their first glimpse of the 9-series Rotax engine. At the time, many aviation mechanics dismissed it as “…just a snowmobile engine.” They also turned out to be wrong.
Starting with their lightweight, advanced-technology, liquid-cooled, 80-horsepower engine, Rotax developed a line of powerplants and went on to dominate the light aircraft aircraft market globally. As with those Cirrus naysayers, many skeptics of Rotax also had to take back their words.
Big and Bigger
Most pilots are very aware BRP-Rotax is a big company with many products. Aircraft engines — the assembly of which remains a prized job within the Austrian company — make up a modest part of this sprawling industrial operation. The aviation division benefits greatly from its association with the larger enterprise.
Rotax powers all kinds of recreational vehicles and recently announced, “We are celebrating a milestone: 10 million engines.”
Pilots are aware 10 million engines goes far beyond aviation. One of the most popular aircraft in history, the Cessna 172, saw production of 44,000 units. The new millennia success story, Cirrus, delivered around 8,000 units.
Check this list to see a lengthy compilation of world aircraft, representing somewhat more than one million units in all of aviation history. Wikipedia’s list doesn’t even try to capture the aircraft most of us fly; adding them would add thousands more.
Nonetheless, the sum of all aircraft ever built would still total less than two million units.
To put that figure in perspective, a single model of automobile can build that many units in a couple years. Volkswagen alone has built more than 20 million Beetles. Ford has shipped more than 35 million F-series pickup trucks. Toyota has delivered more than 50 million Corollas.
Our World of Engines
When Rotax can celebrate 10 million engines produced, all pilots know these are mostly for other vehicles yet the family of engines certainly includes aviation and Rotax is rightly proud of their achievements lifting airplanes into sky.
BRP President and CEO José Boisjoli invited guests of honor from the parent company plus Rotax employees to celebrate this success.
At the factory in Gunskirchen, Austria on November 2, 2021, BRP-Rotax looked back on a long success story. “Through our high-performance powertrains for the power-sports sector, [we have] firmly established [our engines] at the top of the world market. We are now pleased to celebrate a special milestone: On October 28, the 10 millionth engine was produced in Gunskirchen.” This particular anniversary production was a Rotax 900 ACE Turbo 150, the power in Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles.
Gunskirchen assembly employees joined guests from BRP-Rotax’s Canadian parent company as Boisjoli thanked the team in his speech, congratulating them on their dedication. Major company officials attending the celebration in Upper Austria on behalf of BRP were Thomas Uhr, Senior Vice-President Product Engineering and Manufacturing Operations Powersports, Anne Le Breton, Senior Vice-President Human Resources, Eric Lebel, Vice-President Human Resources and Minh Thanh Tran, Vice-President Corporate Strategy & Development and Global Transformation.
Of particular interest to aviation enthusiasts — More than 175,000 Rotax aircraft engines have been sold since 1973. Of this number, 50,000 were four-stroke engines from the well-known 912/914 series. All Rotax aircraft engines are approved for operation with Ethanol 10, Mogas and Avgas.
What comes next? Rotax keeps new developments close to their vest, but if the last 48 years have taught us anything, it is that Rotax continues to create new powerplants, always staying at the cutting edge of new technologies. It seems clear this will continue.
Congratulations to our friends at Rotax! Thanks for helping us get and stay aloft all these years.
Learn more about Rotax’s experience with Aircraft Engine Manager, Marc Becker…
Hi Dan. I’m looking for a feasible path to create a reliable pre-retirement source of income in the LSA industry.
I’m thinking I could start with a combination of CFIS, LSRM, and Rotax service.
I understand everything except becoming “certified” to perform Rotax service for hire. Do you have any information that could lead me in the right direction? I feel like the demand for Rotax is going to grow and availability of local Rotax service will be crucial for the LSA industry.
There is nowhere listed in my city for Rotax service. That’s a shame considering I live in the “Rocket City”. We helped put the 1st man on the moon.
Please contact Rotax using the links in the article. Only Rotax can offer a certification for their brand, just like every other brand in the consensus-standards-driven LSA world. What you’re talking about is service and that should offer you financial opportunities as you are seeking. We can always use good people providing valuable services. Good luck!