Mistral's two-rotor turbocharged G-230-TS Wankel engine
was on display in the Piper Arrow airframe it pulled to the show. The
Swiss-built 230-hp, liquid-cooled is being developed in Daytona Beach, FL,
with the assistance of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The
installation amassed more than 30 flights before arriving in OSH. Testing
for FAA certification is underway. Although the engine itself, which
displaces just 654cc from the twin rotors, is little bigger than a beer keg,
it requires considerable ancillary equipment, including a radiator and
plumbing for the turbocharger. Wankels traditionally use dual spark plugs,
so it's no surprise to see the Mistral's redundant ignition systems. Using a
planetary gear prop reduction unit, the engine can turn ... 6500 rpm ... for
a prop speed of just 2300 rpm. Weighing 328 pounds dry, the G-230 is
intended to burn 100LL or unleaded auto gas.