Designing And Building A Novel Engine From Scratch Is A Whole ‘Nother Thing!

By Gene Yarbrough

Spirit Engineering, known for its innovative approach to aircraft design, has developed the Spirit V2, a two-cylinder engine specifically crafted for their single-seater SE-1 aircraft.

This engine represents Spirit Engineering's dedication to creating integrated solutions, designing the aircraft and engine in tandem to ensure optimal performance.

Engine details

• The Spirit V2 is a normally aspirated, two-cylinder, four-stroke engine with an inverted "V" configuration.
• It is air-cooled, boasts a dry sump lubrication system, and utilizes a magnetic discharge ignition system.
• The engine runs on either 91 octane ethanol-free mogas or 100LL aviation fuel.
• Spirit Engineering rigorously validated the V2 engine through extensive testing in their specialized test cell, surpassing ASTM standards, according to the EAA.
• Testing included hundreds of hours at maximum power to assess power output, durability, detonation margins, and endurance.

Performance and applications

• The V2 engine's compact design and direct drive system likely contribute to a favorable power-to-weight ratio, a critical factor for aircraft engines.
• The Spirit V2 is specifically designed to be integrated into Spirit Engineering's SE-1, a single-seat aircraft described as a Special Light-Sport Aircraft (SLSA).

Potential advantages

• Designing and building an engine in-house allows Spirit Engineering to tailor the engine's characteristics to the specific needs of their aircraft, potentially leading to optimized performance and efficiency.
• Rigorous testing exceeding industry standards suggests a focus on reliability and safety.
• The use of common fuel types like mogas and 100LL offers flexibility and potentially lower operating costs for pilots.

The Spirit Engineering V2 engine, while still relatively new, demonstrates a focused approach to aircraft engine development and promises a powerful and well-integrated solution for the SE-1 aircraft.

FMI: spiriteng.com/