About Us

Introduction

Rotec Aerosport Pty Ltd was established in the year 2000. Later that year the first Rotec R2800 powered aircraft took to the skies. In the following years, the number of Rotec powered aircraft has grown dramatically.

We are lucky being able to express our passion every day in producing high quality ’round’ engines and performance aircraft components, which so many love, admire and appreciate.

Now and Beyond

Rotec’s radial engines are designed for the home-built and experimental markets. With many hundreds of engines sold to date, it is our goal to recapture the yesteryear romanticism of the radial engines. At the same time we strive to combine modern design and production techniques to yield a truly unique product.

We currently manufactures two radial engines for the “Experimental” market:

R2800 a 7 cylinder 110HP Radial – Took to the skies in the year 2000
R3600 a 9 cylinder 150HP Radial – The 1st R3600 came off the production line in the year 2006

Rotec Aeropost now extends its experience and ingenuity towards producing performance products for the experimental market. Rotec’s range of throttle body injection (TBI) fuel systems, and Jabiru Liquid Cooled Heads (LCH) being examples.

Not only does Rotec strive to produce the highest quality engines and performance products, but also offer an unprecedented level of support. A potent combination of dedication and passion from every member of Rotec’s staff has ensured success beyond Rotec’s wildest expectation.

Two testimonials from the many serve to summaries what Rotec is all about:

From: Augusto Poggiali – Head Mechanic from Golavio Engineering SRL (Italy)

“…The engine performs flawlessly, I trust it more than a Rolex watch.”

From: In a series of emails to Rotec, Chuck Olmsted (USA) who purchased a second hand engine and sought technical support

“…Man, I wish everyone I work with was as straight forward and as easy as you! … Thank you again, I’m going to love working with you and your wonderful engine! … To all of Rotec staff I can’t say enough good things about you and all your help! … Thanks again Chuck”

What more needs to be said!

Brief Timeline

1970-80’s: Brothers Paul and Matt fly regular control line and later radio control model airplanes with their dad Jim.
1990: Paul sees add in Airborne magazine advertising the “Shepparton Mammoth Scale model air show” read specs of size in add and so with crew drove down to take a look. Paul was sold and set on building his first “Big” model.
1991: Paul builds first “Mammoth Scale plane” 1/3 scale Focker Triplane with home chopped up 60cc chainsaw motor.
1992-95: Paul builds faster and bigger, Gee Bee’s come into play and through out the remainder of the 90’s Paul builds all of the popular Gee Bee racers. Paul’s brother Matt chips in with some machine work from his then employers more sophisticated work shop.
1997: Paul builds R350cc radial as a result of Gee Bee’s having radials and also the fact he has always loved round engines! As it turned out 2 years solid to hand machine the R350 become so precious. Paul would never dare fly it RC!

1999: Paul builds ½ Scale S1S Pitts Special. Uses original home made twin cylinder 200cc geared flat engine out of Gee Bee. Plane flew one lap of Shep 1999 before engine quits. Landed safely and never flew again. This is the last “Mammoth” scale model Paul builds, as plans to start up Rotec Engineering shift focus.
2000: Paul stop building models and teams with brother Matt, and father Jim (Financier) to start up Rotec Engineering. The idea of the concept of building radial engine spun off from a home builder seeing the R350 on the cover of Airborne model mag!
2000: Small Rotec shop builds prototype R2800. Fly’s later that year.
2001: 20 x R2800 built.
2002: 50 x R2800 built.
2005: Rotec move into bigger factory.
2006: R3600 150hp 9 cylinder developed
2009: TBI fuel systems developed
2010: Rotec LCH developed (Jabiru Liquid cooled heads)
2012: Alternator and Ignition Upgrade Kits developed for the Jabiru