TRACE Engines L.P. of Midland, Texas, tells ANN that it has purchased the technology rights, manufacturing equipment, FAA, Transport Canada and European aviation certifications and all worldwide manufacturing and sales rights for the Orenda 600 horsepower V-8, liquid cooled reciprocating aircraft engine. The Orenda V-8 engine garnered significant media attention several years ago, promising a new generation of high-performance piston engines. Orenda re-engineered the concept of liquid-cooled, high-output V-8 engines in turbocharged versions, for a variety of aircraft, and designed it to address the aviation industry’s requirement for a modern, cost effective reciprocating engine. The engine is fully certified and reportedly ready for production.

TRACE's typical installations will be found in singles with gross weights generally up to 6,000 lbs., and twins up to 12,500 lbs. Replacement of turbine engine designs will increase climb rates and improve performance at altitude. TRACE notes that while 'a turbine engine displays constant power degradation as altitude increases, the turbocharged Orenda V-8’s maintain cruise power all the way up. An equivalent turbo prop engine would need to be rated as much as 1,000 horsepower at sea level in order to match the Orenda engine’s output at altitude.'

The TRACE engine is certified on the Air Tractor 401/402 and the deHavilland DHC-3 Otter. Current OEM aircraft applications include the new Rhino Utility aircraft and the Chinese N5B Agricultural Aircraft. Some of the retrofit programs currently underway include the King Air C90, and the deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver.

The engine is applicable to 40,000 potential retrofit aircraft where no feasible alternative exists. TRACE offers a more fuel-efficient alternative that costs significantly less to purchase, repair and overhaul providing operators with savings of up to 35% to 50%. The competitive level of dollars per horsepower opens doors for viable re-engining and new construction of thousands of airplanes. TRACE Engines LP is a privately held Texas limited partnership with its corporate offices and manufacturing facilities located in Midland Texas and is represented across most continents.

FMI: www.traceengines.com