UL Power UL260iSA

[Andy Walker]

Here's another potential alternative engine for the Sonex/Waiex/Xenos, the UL Power UL260iSA:

http://www.ulpower.com/engines/ul260iSA/index.html

It's a real aircraft engine with dual ignition, air cooling, and a horizontally opposed design with oil pickup designed with ability to fly inverted. 107hp continuous at 3300rpm at a weight of 160-165lb puts it right in the Jabiru 3300 ballpark. Here are some of the factory features of the UL Power engines:

Modern Technology 4 stroke, air cooled, 4 cylinder opposed engine
Dual (redundant) electronic spark ignition (variable timing)
Multipoint electronic fuel injection with automatic altitude and temperature compensation
Electronic RPM limiter
Direct propeller drive
Wet sump forced lubrication with integrated pressure regulator
5 bearing crankshaft with thrust ball bearing
Ram air cooled cylinders and cylinder heads
High fuel efficiency
No carburettor icing problems
Excellent power to weight ratio
Electric fuel pump and pressure regulator to eliminate vapor lock and facilitate starting even under adverse conditions

I have not looked at the dimensions relative to the existing Sonex/Waiex/Xenos engines, so I'm not sure how well the current cowls might work. But this looks like a contender on paper. The only downside is at current exchange rates the price comes to about $23,600, which makes it a LOT more expensive than a Jab 3300.

[uteboy]

Here an interesting article on that engine when installed in a Twister.

http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co. ... le_mar.pdf

[Mike53]

Great writeup and though it would obviously fit quit nicely on the Onex, as Andy pointed out the price is out of my league. :(

[sonex892]

John Davis of American Sonex assoc fame installed one of these in his Sonex. Should be able to find photos of the cowl and install etc on their website. On a not so good note, I read somewhere he did crash his Sonex with this engine and has since repaired the plane and re engined again with a jab3300. I dont know the details of the crash

[Mike53]

Here it is- http://aircrashed.com/cause/cERA09CA162.shtml

[Andy Walker]

Here it is- http://aircrashed.com/cause/cERA09CA162.shtml

Hmm...that seems like builder error (ECU on wrong side of firewall, got too hot).

I didn't like that half that Twister article is devoted to bashing the Jabiru motors.

[uteboy]

>I didn't like that half that Twister article is devoted to bashing the Jabiru motors.

Yes, sounds like some history there....probably something to do with cricket.

[Mike53]

Here's another potential alternative engine for the Sonex/Waiex/Xenos, the UL Power UL260iSA:

http://www.ulpower.com/engines/ul260iSA/index.html

It's a real aircraft engine with dual ignition, air cooling, and a horizontally opposed design with oil pickup designed with ability to fly inverted. 107hp continuous at 3300rpm at a weight of 160-165lb puts it right in the Jabiru 3300 ballpark. Here are some of the factory features of the UL Power engines:

Modern Technology 4 stroke, air cooled, 4 cylinder opposed engine
Dual (redundant) electronic spark ignition (variable timing)
Multipoint electronic fuel injection with automatic altitude and temperature compensation
Electronic RPM limiter
Direct propeller drive
Wet sump forced lubrication with integrated pressure regulator
5 bearing crankshaft with thrust ball bearing
Ram air cooled cylinders and cylinder heads
High fuel efficiency
No carburettor icing problems
Excellent power to weight ratio
Electric fuel pump and pressure regulator to eliminate vapor lock and facilitate starting even under adverse conditions

I have not looked at the dimensions relative to the existing Sonex/Waiex/Xenos engines, so I'm not sure how well the current cowls might work. But this looks like a contender on paper. The only downside is at current exchange rates the price comes to about $23,600, which makes it a LOT more expensive than a Jab 3300.

I paid a visit to UL Power and was pleasantly surprised to find the prices of the UL260iS right about the same as the Jab 3300 and the 97HP UL260i came in at $17290 us as of feb./12.
So all I need to do is convince my wife that for a measley $10000 more I can add 17HP to my Onex :Dhttp://www.ulpower.net/prices-us.html

[kmacht]

So if it is about the same price as a 3300 whats the advantage? Isn't the 3300 120hp vs 97hp for the UL? What am I missing?

Keith

[Mike53]

So if it is about the same price as a 3300 whats the advantage? Isn't the 3300 120hp vs 97hp for the UL? What am I missing?

Keith

My bad.The UL engine for comparison is the UL350i at 118hp.
Jab3300-----$19,900 180lbs add the liquid cooling jacket for an additional $3500 + weight penalty? aprox. for a total $23,400

UL350i----- $22,150 172.8 lbs,Full FADEC

Bottom line the Jab without the cooling jacket comes in @$2250 less .For myself I would choose the UL power for my Onex.If I could afford the Jab I would find the extra $2250 to buy the UL as in my opinion when you compare them totally the UL comes out ahead.
I will watch the Euro closely as the price could go down farther yet what with all the problems it is having right now.