For some years, Rotax Aircraft Engines has invited their worldwide flock to Wels, Austria. This charming town north of Salzburg is near the home of Rotax’s headquarters in Gunskirken.
On three separate visits to Rotax I was able to attend one of their Fly-in events plus a special visit just for aviation journalists.
Beautiful and inviting as Wels is, this is not an easy visit for folks from the company’s far-flung customer base in nearly every country on Earth. So, in addition to inviting the world to their headquarters event, Rotax is going abroad.
Get ready for Rotax’s World Tour 2024!
The Biggest goes Bigger
BRP-Rotax is the Austrian subsidiary of BRP Inc, “a leader in the development and production of propulsion systems for the recreational and powersports markets,” according to the company.
A factory foyer celebration of the 50,000th aircraft engine from Rotax.
Founded in 1920, BRP-Rotax builds innovative Rotax four-stroke and two-stroke high-performance engines used in products such as Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo personal watercraft, Can-Am onroad and offroad vehicles, as well as for karts and sport planes. More than 1,700 employees work in Gunskirchen with a smaller separately-quartered group focused exclusively on aircraft engines (considered a premiere job within the enormous facility —DJ) Headquartered in Quebec, Canada, BRP has annual sales of CA$10 billion from over 130 countries and a global workforce of close to 23,000 people.
In the light aviation community, the Rotax name dominates with more than 75% of the market. Rotax works directly through a network of national distributors, which in turn serve more than 250 “OEMs” or original equipment manufacturers… or, simply aircraft manufacturers to you and me.
If it’s light and it flies, odds are high it is powered by a Rotax engine.
Given its globe-spanning reach, the company’s World Tour 2024 will bring the company directly to customers and businessmen alike. Read below what each of the locations has to offer.
Rotax announced from Gunskirchen, Austria on February 6th, 2024, “The Rotax Fly-In event, which in the past exclusively took place in Wels, Austria, will be rolled out internationally, as announced last August. Brazil was the first stop of the Rotax Fly-In world tour, reflecting the high interest in BRP events far beyond Europe, with almost 200 aviation enthusiasts in attendance.”
Several years ago I attended a Rotax Fly-In event with Tish and Phil Lockwood, the most active distributor of Rotax aircraft engines.
Rotax’s Fly-In World Tour “serves as a platform for all aviation enthusiasts and curious minds to celebrate the aviation community, discover new developments, and put things to the test.,” the company wrote. “In other words, the Rotax Fly-In World Tour is a new international aviation festival. Similar to the Rotax Fly-In in Austria, all events are designed to be informative and entertaining, maintaining the quality standards of BRP-Rotax. The events will be organized and hosted by the independent distribution and service partner network.” All contact information is presented below.
“Being able to announce such an impressive lineup in the first-year highlights once again, the commitment of our network partners. This event series is exactly what our customers have been asking for,” said Peter Oelsinger, General Manager BRP-Rotax.
Welcome from Each Location
Australia — “Explore the World of Rotax Aircraft in a friendly and informal environment at the Fly-In 2024 at Parkes Airport in NSW. See the latest Rotax engines and chat with like- minded pilots and flight enthusiasts from Australia and all over the world. Visit the aircraft demonstration area and see the latest new aircraft. Listen to expert speakers and get great tips on engine maintenance. Rotax has provided a fantastic programme with exciting activities and catering. Don’t miss out – come and join us!”
On a flight from Rotax’s home airfield, I captured this “picture post card” view of this beautiful part of Austria.
Austria — “Discover the world of Rotax Aircraft in a casual atmosphere at the Fly-In 2024 in Wels. Chat and share your experiences with like-minded pilots and flight enthusiasts from all over the world. Rotax has planned a program with exciting activities and catering. Don’t miss it!” This beautiful town in Austria is also near the Rotax factory; if tours are offered, by all means go. —DJ
Canada — “The Rotax Fly-In World Tour is set to visit Canada in a very big way. Vernon, BC Canada is home to the World’s first Rotax Aircraft Engine Distributor – now with a flourishing community of Rotax pilots. Don’t miss this chance to visit such a beautiful region of The Great White North with like-minded aviators.”
Argentina — “Beautiful Argentina has yet another attraction to see. La Cumbre, near the city of Cordoba is one of those destinations not to be missed. La Cumbre, meaning ‘the peak’ is sure to be one of the peaks of 2024. This World Tour event will be filled with fun, community, food and flying, of course!”
Rotax Fly-In Australia
April 12-14, 2024
Location / Airfield: Parkes Airport, Parkes (NSW 2870), Australia
Organizer: Bertflood Imports Pty Ltd.
Detailed event information
Rotax Fly-In Austria
August 23-24, 2024
Aerodrome Wels: Weiße Möwe Wels (LOLW), Austria
Organizer: BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG
Detailed event information
Rotax Fly-In Canada
September 7, 2024
Location / Airfield: Vernon – Rotech Motor Ltd. (CYVK), BC Canada
Organizer: Rotech Motor Ltd.
Detailed event information
Rotax Fly-In Argentinia
October 26-27, 2024
Location / Airfield: Aeroclub La Cumbre (SACC), Argentina
Organizer: Ultralight SRL
Detailed event information
I find it odd they selected Argentina and not Brazil. Nothing against my “hermanos” but I believe the user base is certainly bigger north of the border.
As the story noted, they actually began in Brazil, but in later 2023. Got it covered.
Dear Rotax Promo Team:
What the heck!?! No US of A? Whyzzat?