The "Vija Aircraft Engines ®" project was started in 2003 by
Vincent and Jacques TRINCAL (hence the name VIJA) with the intention to create a new generation of engines dedicated to light and leisure aviation.
As a pilot of ultralight aircrafts, Vincent wished to find a simpler and more secure solution than the use of light aviation engines. Most of engines on the market are subject to the risk of icing and complex in their handling ( manual management of mixture and carburetor heating).
Vincent’s objective was to improve the management of engines traditionally fed by carburetors, and to free the pilot from monitoring the external atmospheric conditions (temperature, hygrometry).
By studying what existed in the ground applications, the famous SUZUKI “SACS” engine was identified: a simple, high performance, easy to maintain engine, available in numerous versions from 600 to 1200 cc.
This engine delivers powers from 80 to 180 HP, with its multi-valve configuration and double overhead camshaft and enjoys a very good reputation of solidity and reliability.
The cooling system SACS, using oil under pressure and developed for post-WW2 Japanese aircrafts simplifies and secures the engine’s operation in extreme conditions.
A new air/fuel supply system was developed. The multi-point fuel injection and mono-valve air intake simplify the engine management. Using a mono-lever all corrections of mixture are automatically made according to the temperature or the atmospheric pressure.
A mechanical reductor (constant mesh gear) and a transmission by a series of sprockets were developed with a capacity to transfer strong powers with a limited weight and simplified maintenance.
The first prototype was unveiled in 2004, during the “Salon ULM de Blois” (Ultralight Show of Blois, France).
The first flight took place in February, 2006 on Toulouse-Lasbordes airfield.
The company "VIJA Aircraft Engines ®" SARL was created in May, 2008, in order to launch the production of this new range of engines.
After ten years of effort and development, we are able to provide a full range of engines, with powers from 100 to 160HP, adapted to fixed wing ultralights, girocopters, homebuilt aircrafts and helicopters.
Fully confident in the quality of our products, we offer a 3-year guarantee or TBO on spare parts and labor.
The "Vija Aircraft Engines®" team.
