Some years back I heard that one of the main engine makers (Lycoming?) bought up the rights for avaition use. But nothing came of it? Could there be a simpler more efficient engine for civ/av.? Power to weight is exceptional, low maintenance, very small for the power output. What went wrong?

I found an interesting link, would the $ for the Wankel compare to current engines in say a 172 for new cost?

Wankels in general have a good power to weight ratio but are not that efficient, so they tend to be developed for performance applications. For that reason it seems you'll see them focused more towards limited production racing designs than general aviation.

Some time ago I recall reading about an engine that showed great promise. IIRC, this thing looked the cylinder from a revolver, and had 12 pistons in 6 holes. The fuel economy and the power to weight ratio was supposed to be just phenominal. The inventor was supposed to have mounted one on a Cessna [172?] and flew it all over Australia.
Has anyone ever heard of such a beastie and hat happened to it or is this like the 400 MPG carburetor that Ford or GM or Chrysler or Texaco has bought up because they don't want you to have it?

I remember there being a bunch of PR about an engine called a "rotary vee", a google search brings up patents but not much else.

http://www.saintjohn.nbcc.nb.ca/~Heritage/bricklin/Rotary.htm


Is that what you are thinking of?



Mark