Will Be Marketed To The GA Market In China

Aero-News April 1 Special Edition

Continental Aerospace Technologies announced April 1 that it will revive the OX-5 engine for distribution in the Chinese market.

First developed in the early 1900s, the OX-5 was not considered particularly reliable. But advancements in engine technology make this an ideal time to bring the engine back for the emerging Chinese GA market, according to CAT president and CEO Rhett Ross.

"The concept was sound, but the engine was ahead of its time," Ross said in an exclusive interview with Aero-News. "With the Chinese market set for exponential growth, we see this as an excellent opportunity to become the engine of choice in China for GA. This fits in perfectly with our new branding, and we're very excited about the future of this engine."

The newly-redesigned OX-5 will feature modern engine features such as dual spark plugs and ignition systems now the industry standard for GA. Reliability is expected to be greatly improved, with the TBO for the engine increasing to 10 hours.

"We're going right to the V-8 configuration that was built by Curtiss in 1906. The engine has in incredible pedigree, and we want Continental to be the company that capitalizes on that pedigree while improving its reputation."

There are currently no plans to offer the OX-5 in the U.S. market. "We've already got outstanding penetration in the U.S.," Ross said. "We can manufacture this engine inexpensively and flood the Chinese market shortly after it is certified by the CAAC."

The new OX-5 engine will produce the same 90 horsepower at 1,400 rpm as the original engine. Ross said that the major upgrade will be the reliability of the powerplant.

FMI: www.continentalmotors.aero