Simonini engines

[Good old number 29 206]

In anticipation of receiving my first shipment of Simonini engines, I thought I’d start this thread. 
I currently have four Victor 2 Super motors being prepped with different gear ratios and exhausts. I have a mix of other models shipping with them, including the Victor 1, which could also be used in a lightweight Kitfox. 
I’ll be posting pics, taking measurements, weighing the different motors and exhaust systems on a certified scale, and measuring thrust. If I get the chance to put them on a dyno, I will. So far, I’ve only found shops with rear-wheel dynos, within flying distance. 
So, check back in the next month, or two. If you have any questions or suggestions, let me know what’s on your mind. I want to have full, complete, and accurate information. 
Of course, I’ll be writing up the full details of installation and performance on the Kitfox. 
If you’re interested in purchasing a Simonini engine, they are available on my website, with more information at straight-aero.com.

Please note that Contributing Members of this site receive a special discount. In any case, please consider a donation to the site, to keep it running. It is the best resource around, for early Kitfox and Avid Flyers. 

[Good old number 29 206]

The manufacturing process for our first order is nearly complete. We received these pics from Simonini, showing some of our motors being near completion, this morning. They also gave us the great news that the shipment should be ready to send out early next week. These will soon be in stock, and available to our customers. I’ll update the website with current inventory as soon as they arrive. If anyone is wondering, the base Simonini Victor 2 Super is priced at €8,700, with twin pipes, from the manufacturer. I want to move some motors into the hands of happy customers, and have priced accordingly. 
I’ll post some good pics, along with all the information I can gather, when they arrive. If anyone around here is interested in observing or helping out with some static test runs of one of the motors, I’m planning to make that happen. I want to be able to stand behind my products, 100%, and have firsthand information for anyone who needs it. I’ll be fitting that test motor to my Model 1 and the Model 4, to check fit and clearances with the different motor mounts, bracing, and cowlings, and see how the different exhaust systems fit. 

[Good old number 29 206]

I was surprised by an email, yesterday morning, offering us an exhibitor space at SUN ‘n FUN. As it turned out, the short notice of the availability, due to a canceled reservation, worked out very well for us. It’s a great spot, between two great companies, Helix Props and Sideslip Aviation. We took the opportunity, and started making the arrangements for our display. The engines are ready to ship. All we had to do is turn the rudder South, a little, and arrange for a stop in Lakeland, along the way. So, if you happen to be in the area, during the show, stop by and check out the Simonini engines. We’ll be at exhibit LP-011, in the light planes area of Paradise City. 

Edited 19 Feb 2025 by Good old number 29

[Avidventurous 33]

I've heard of right rudder but never heard of south rudder. LOL

[Good old number 29 206]

Sun ‘n Fun was a blast, as you might expect. From there, it was right back to blow’n snow. I am ready for some fun again.

We’re already gearing up for Oshkosh, where we’ll be in the Homebuilts area, in Booth 625, right across from the Kitfox display. We’ll be there with a complete complement of Simonini motors, and Helix props. That will be July 21-27, 2025. 

I hope to do some thrust testing, possibly this week, if the spring weather breaks. Unfortunately, we sold out the dual exhaust, so we’ll have to wait for the next shipment to come in, to get thrust numbers on it. We have it in the works, along with some other good stuff, like the Victor 2 intake equalizer plenum, and more gear ratios, including the 4:1, which might be used for towing gliders. 
 

We will be taking a closer look at the Victor 2 Super installation on the Kitfox 1, and the Model 4. There were some changes in the firewall forward, over the years, so we’ll get a good look at how it mounts on the original flat plate, versus Kitfox’s later cradle style side mount, as well as answering how the exhaust fits. 

 

 

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[Good old number 29 206]

This has been an interesting year, and kind of tough for business. The Victor 2's that I ordered, last January, at a cost of about $8,500 each, have all sold. With the onslaught of tariffs starting last April, tanking the exchange rate, and an increase in Simonini's prices, the last Victor 2 I got delivered, in June, cost $10,500, at the previous 10% EU tariff. As it happened, that was the last Victor model produced, to date, due to supply issues with castings, cylinder sleeves and plating, crankshaft splines and couplings, and ignitions. The production date has been pushed back, a couple times, but the latest is that they'll have more ignitions and be able to produce more engines by mid-February, '26. With the current tariff and exchange rate, my posted list price of $12,000 isn't enough to purchase and ship an engine. At no point, in the past year, has my posted price been equal to, or greater than, the cost to replace the engine I was selling. In the ten months since the first eight engines were delivered, last April, costs have increased by 50%. I haven't been able to raise prices fast enough to keep up. Fortunately, I had the foresight to order those first engines when the exchange rate was at its recent lowest rate, and before tariffs were slapped on us.

Simonini is a small company. They've made some 20,000 engines, which is really impressive for a family company with four employees. The Victor series has been in production for 20 years, but the Victor 2 has averaged only 14 per year. Last year, they made 7, and I sold 5 of those. As prices have skyrocketed, it's gotten harder, but without production, it's impossible. When they get back in production, I expect that we'll be at $13,000, which reflects the break-even point of drop-shipping a single engine directly to the customer. I'm not going to carry stock and ship bulk at this price.

The tariffs and ceasing of production was an expensive and untimely irritant. The announcement of the initial tariff rate came during the first days of Sun N Fun, putting a damper on that show. The last tariff rate increase came as I set up for Oshkosh, along with the news that the Victor series was out of production. Thank God for alcohol. No, I'm kidding, but it was enough to drive a man to drink. Here, eight months later, I'm keeping busy with little parts and pieces, and waiting for good news.

We still have Victor 1's in stock, along with 250's. The more I deal with other stuff, the more inclined I am to build an ultralight, or get into powered parachutes. Light, simple, cheap, and unregulated.

One bright side of the business has been Helix Props. We haven't been selling high volume, by any means, but they make some awesome props, and are absolutely reliable and easy to work with, shipping right way. If you haven't gotten a look at Helix props, take the time to check them out. They are top notch. They have absorbed the tariff costs, for the time being, keeping our price the same, but for the exchange rate, which is of course 16¢ higher than last January. In regard to quality and precision construction, Helix is clearly the best composite prop manufacturer.

It seems like everyone is into E-Props, these days. I've heard the spiel, seen the props, looked at the numbers, and have been told that they won't sell me a prop for Simonini's Victor engines, because the props come apart with the vibration. Blaming the customer and engine, of course, but it's clear that their props are pretty flimsy. That's why they work. The blades flex under a load, effectively reducing pitch under high load, then springing back at cruise speed. So, their strength is rooted in their light construction, which is also their weakness, literally. The blades aren't some super efficient design, allowing them to magically be more effective and efficient, they're built light enough to flex and lose some pitch when under a load.

I once suggested building a wing that would do that, and was sternly warned about the dangers of flex and flutter. The idea has its merits, but weakness is still a weakness, and there are reasons that we want rigidity. Maybe, with modern composites, it's an idea whose time has come. But, if a bit of vibration makes it come apart, it's probably still best to have a solid structure.

So, here I am, in the middle of nowhere. It looks like the best option to power a Kitfox is still to rebuild the engine from an '84 Ski-doo Alpine. Unless, of course, we're talking about a new Kitfox, in which case only an $80,000 Rotax 916 will do. Maybe 12 or 13 grand isn't bad for a new Simonini, if you can get one. It's just disappointing, and hard on business, to have prices go up so much, especially when the increase is split between paying the government for nothing, and trading dollars at a higher rate, because of their trade policies. Thank God I quit drinking.

It's like we're right back where experimental aircraft really took off, but almost in reverse. A new kit costs as much or more than a comparable certified plane. In fact, you can buy a nice ditch banger for the cost of a new Rotax. Or, whatever you call an old plane that you can bounce around in. I don't think that the new Mosaic rules are going to help that, in any regard. The cost of eggs might be down, but anything to do with aircraft is sky high. Unfortunately for me, I also sell eggs, when the chickens comply. I might have to slap a tax on myself to produce more eggs.