VIJA Aircraft Engines

VIJA Aircraft Engines is French engineering company which manufactures engines for light aircraft/rotorcraft use.

History

The architects of the Vija engine are two brothers, Jacques and Vincent Trincal, hence Ja-Vi. Motorcycle enthusiasts, when they approached the ultra-light world they were shocked by the engine technology (carbureted Rotax) and wanted to improve this point. Their idea was to convert for aviation use one of the most reliable and robust motorcycle engine. For both mechanical engineers, the most appropriate engine block for this use was undoubtedly that of the Suzuki Bandit 1200, former GSX-R 1100. The brothers worked hard to validate the project. Foundation of family owned LLC, assembly of a prototype model (presented at Blois in 2004) and a first almost fully functional engine (Blois 2005) and finally operational prototypes. Financially, their project did not convince banks and it was entirely funded by the family.

The first engine airborne in a J300 had 90 hp available at 5700rpm. Initial climb gave 900 ft/min and speed comparable to the Rotax version. Its characteristics: no vibration, clutched gearbox and very low noise level in the pattern, else similar to that of the Rotax. Cruising 90 mph consuming 2gph.

Available Engines

• VIJA J-12Si (J-10A): 74 kW (100 hp) @ 6600rpm, 1186 cc, inline-4, 2,55/1 PSRU, oil-cooled, fuel-injection, 84 kg (185 lbs).
• VIJA AG-12Si (J-12A): 90 kW (120 hp) @ 7200rpm, 1216 cc, inline-4, 2,55/1 PSRU, oil-cooled, fuel-injection, 84 kg (185 lbs).

Available end-2011:

• VIJA J-16Ti (J-16TIi): 80 kW (160 hp) @ 7000rpm, 1216 cc, inline-4, 2,55/1 PSRU, oil-cooled, fuel-injection, turbocharged, 87 kg (191 lbs).

References

• "2008 Article in French UL magazine". 

External links

• Official website