ENGINE HISTORY
The Bailey Aviation 4 stroke engine was bourn from a simple idea – A compact, lightweight engine to revolutionise the world of paramotors and ultralight’s, providing an alternative to the run-of-the-mill 2 strokes that have dominated the industry for the past 20 years or more.
Paul Bailey’s vision was to develop the 4 stroke way beyond any previous attempts, massively reducing weight and size, increasing thrust output, all whilst keeping the engines operational stability and temperatures well within his design brief.
The results are world class engines that are smooth and linear from idle to the redline, that set new standards in fuel efficiency, are amazingly quiet with no need for messy oil/fuel mixing like 2 stroke engines. Aabove all this the engine has proved reliable and flexible, proved by its countless competition wins around the globe.
Initial development of the 4 stroke project started in 2003 and the prototype was flown successfully by Paul Bailey at the World Paramotor Championships the same year, with much interest from pilots and other manufacturers. This 125cc prototype was relatively heavy and underpowered, but the combination of a 25cc capacity increase, substantial lightening of various parts and the re-working of some of the core engine components made yielded big power gains, so the production 4stroke150 engine was introduced in Mk1 guise, with 14.5HP.
The production 4stroke150 was a strong and confident performer, showing the world that the 4 stroke vision was indeed now reality, successfully winning the UK and French 2004 paramotor championships and winning the best overall paramotor at the prestigious Sun & Fun exhibition in the USA the same year. The engine was produced with manual or electric starting systems and become a firm favourite with competition pilots and to pilots wishing to push the envelope of long distance flights, as with the amazing fuel consumption of the 4stroke150 over 250Km’s was now possible with one 10 litre fuel load.
Introduction of the Mk2 4 stroke started in 2006, with improvements made to the engines internal and external cooling fins, reduction drive mounting and the addition of a simple air cooling system and a new design of faceplate.
2007 saw the introduction of the 4stroke150’s bigger brother, the 4stroke175 which produces 18HP (24% more power than the 150cc unit), along with revised carburetion/exhaust and the switch to electric only starting, allowing the addition of our new Forced Air Cooling System. The Forced Air Cooling System is manufactured from carbon fibre and is a shroud that fits around the engine mount side of the power unit and utilises a lightweight, high air-flow fan that is crankshaft driven to provide additional cooling over the cylinder head, reducing CHT temperatures.
2009 saw the introduction of our latest two 4 stroke engines, the V3-180 (180cc 2 valve / 18HP) and 4V-200 (200cc 4 valve / 22HP). The release of our new engines opens up a world of possibilities for customers with paramotors or ultralights, who previously only had the option of installing 2 stroke engines in their projects. The fuel efficiency, compact dimensions and flexible mounting system of the V3-180 and 4V-200 engines is making many pilots dream a reality.
ENGINE DESCRIPTION
The Bailey Aviation V3-180 is an aviation engine designed to power ultra-light aircraft, hang gliders, paramotors, trikes and any other aircraft that requires an auxiliary power unit. As the first and only dedicated small capacity 4stroke aviation engine, it is ideally suited for use in lightweight solo applications, due to its exceptional fuel consumption, low noise, reliability and flexibility.
The engine is an air-cooled 4-stroke single cylinder SOHC unit, designed and manufactured in the UK by Bailey Aviation, with a capacity of 180cc, producing 18HP at 8000rpm. The engine is smooth and linear in its power progression, offering much improved NVH (noise, vibration, harshness levels) levels over a similar 2-stroke counterpart. The engine was designed from the outset to be used in either pull (traction) or push conditions, offering high versatility in its mounting and operation.
The Bailey 4stroke has bespoke CNC machined 6082-T6 alloy crankcases, with integral reduction drive support and four widely spaced engine mounts to reduce torque affect and offer maximum engine support. There is a single engine breather from the cam cover that must be vented to atmosphere.
The SOHC design features adjustable rocker arms and the high lift camshaft also drives the integral high-flow oil pump with strainer. The integral oil sump has a capacity of 500cc (500ml) and has been designed to allow inclination of ± 20 degrees from the vertical plane, with no affect on engine performance.
Reduction is by lightweight 6082-T6 pulleys (black anodised), featuring a Poly-V belt system with integral eccentric adjustment for belt tension. A number of different reduction drive ratios are available, to match alternative propellers designs and sizes. The main drive pulley is drilled for two popular propeller mounting PCD’s (Pitch Circle Diameter), 6 x M8x75mm and 4 x M8x63.50mm and is supplied with neoprene mounting gaskets and a suitable alloy clamp plate. Alternatively, we now also offer a quick release propeller system, see here.
A gravity-fed, pulse type mechanical fuel pump is used, with integral one way valve which is mated to a very small and neat fuel primer bulb to prime the fuel system. The pressure-compensating carburettor is a float bowl design and has been chosen as it offers un-paralleled AFR (Air-Fuel Ratio), which is optimised all the way from Idle (3000 RPM) to its maximum continuous revs (8000 RPM).
The high-powered Capacitive Discharge Ignition (CDI) system utilises an electronic flywheel magneto and alternator (with 8amp output) offering in-flight charging of attached 12v batteries. The robust starter motor is powered by a separate starter solenoid and our shielded wiring harness contains all the connections required to run to dedicated start and stop buttons, via a master switch.
All V3-180 engines are fitted with our Forced Air Cooling System , which is manufactured from carbon fibre. The Forced Air Cooling System is a shroud that fits around the engine mount side of the power unit and utilises a lightweight, high air-flow fan that is crankshaft driven to provide additional cooling over the cylinder head, reducing CHT temperatures.
TECHNICAL DATA
| ENGINE |
SOHC 4 STROKE 2 VALVE |
COOLING:
|
AIR COOLED |
CYLINDER:
|
|
BORE x STROKE:
|
|
DISPLACEMENT:
|
180cc |
COMPRESSION RATIO:
|
|
CRANKSHAFT:
|
|
CONNECTING ROD:
|
|
PISTON:
|
|
CARBURETTOR:
|
Pressure compensating, float bowl type, electric choke |
AIR FILTER:
|
DRY PLEATED PAPER WITH STEEL GAUZE |
MAXIMUM POWER:
|
18HP @8000rpm |
MAXIMUM TORQUE:
|
Nm / rpm |
IDLE SPEED:
|
3000 rpm |
MAX ENGINE SPEED:
|
8000 rpm |
IGNITION:
|
FLYWHEEL MAGNETO WITH CAPACITIVE DISCHARGE IGNITION SYSTEM |
STARTING SYSTEM:
|
ELECTRIC |
CLUTCH:
|
Uni-directional |
| REDUCTION: |
POLY-V BELT REDUCTION DRIVE. SPEED REDUCTION RATIO: 3.2:1 |
SUGGESTED PROPELLER SIZES:
|
1.10m / 1.30m (HELIX-GERMANY) |
| SUPPORT ENGINE: |
4 Silent-Block
|
| EXHAUST: |
Stainless steel |
| FUEL TYPE: |
Unleaded 98 Octane |
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
|
|
FUEL PUMP:
|
Gravity fed, mechanical pulse pump |
THRUST:
|
|
LUBRICATION SYSTEM
|
|
OIL CAPACITY
|
|
ALTERNATOR:
|
Built-in with 6ah output at 5000 rpm |
OIL PRESSURE:
|
|
FUEL PRESSURE:
|
|
MAX OIL TEMP:
|
130ºC/266ºF |
MAX CYL HEAD TEMP (CHT):
|
220ºC/428ºF |
DIMENSIONS
|
430mm (H) x 380mm (W) x 302mm (D) |
| WEIGHT |
18.3Kg (electric start - no oil) |
MOUNTING DATA
The Bailey Aviation V3-180 has been design from the outset to operate in either push (backward mounted) or pull (forward mounted or tractor) applications. The engine uses a wet sump and float bowl style carburettor, so these 2 factors will limit the maximum angle of inclination from vertical that the engine can be mounted
Fuel System
The V3-180 has its ignition timing preset for use with 98 Octane unleaded, we can make factory adjustments for lower grades of fuel, but this may affect engine performance.
The engine is supplied with a gravity-fed, pulse type mechanical fuel pump with integral one-way valve. The fuel pump must be fitted within 500mm vertically of the carburettor, otherwise the pump may not be able to ‘lift’ the fuel sufficiently for reliable fuel delivery. The crankcase has a connection to send the pulses to the pump and the pump will always supply the float bowl with sufficient flow, regardless of engine speed. Some type of manual ‘primer’ will be required to initially fill the carburettor with fuel (not supplied).
Electrics
The engine is supplied with a standard wiring loom, which has the CDI unit and voltage regulator attached via multi-block connectors and a third multi-block which is used to provide power to start the engine via the supplied starter motor solenoid. You will need to provide your own 12v battery pack (8ah min), start button, stop button and we also recommend the use of a master on/off switch to isolate the system instantly.
Exhaust
Due to the higher exhaust gas temperatures of a 4 stroke engine, do not position anything within 300mm of the exhaust outlet. The body of the exhaust also runs very hot, so ensure wiring looms etc are positioned well clear
Disclaimer/Warning
This is not a certified aircraft engine. It has not received any safety or durability testing and conforms to no aircraft standards. It is for use in experimental, uncertified aircraft and vehicles only in which an engine failure will not compromise safety. User assumes all risk of use and acknowledges by his use that he knows the engines is subject to sudden stoppage.
PRICES
All Bailey Aviation V3-180 engines are supplied ready to run, fully tested on our in-house dynometer, complete with the following:-
Exhaust system
Carburettor
Air filter
Wiring loom
CDI Ignition
Fuel Pump with Tygon fuel line, T-piece and pulse drain
Voltage Rectifier
Starter solenoid
Prices from £2850 incl 17.5% UK VAT
Quick release propeller mounting system option £40.00
Manual 'back-up' starter system option £75.00
Please enquire with our sales office on telephone no. 01763 246660 for full pricing details.
