Gemini 100

The Gemini engine’s power can be increased by the installation of a conventional exhaust gas-driven turbocharger in series with the compressor.

Powerplant Development’s team currently has both a 125-horsepower and a 200-horsepower turbocharged version of Gemini engine in development.
Engine lubrication is through high-pressure oil with a dry sump. Fuel injection is provided by a mechanical pump that feeds injectors located in each cylinder.

Due to its simple design and fuel injection system, the Gemini 100 engine features “single-lever” operation without the need for a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. However, Powerplant Developments says the anticipated expansion into higher horsepower engine models and into the certified aircraft OEM market will necessitate its development of a state-of-the-art FADEC system for future certified engine programs.

Engine weight
The 100-horsepower Gemini engine weighs only 155.43 pounds (70.5 kg), giving it a high power-to-weight ratio. The installed Gemini engine, including the heat exchanger, associated hoses, and fittings, is an amazing 166 pounds providing LSA designers with a significant weight advantage with the Gemini.

Fuel
Powerplant Developments states the Gemini 100 engine will provide operators with fuel efficiency and cost-savings. Its projections show that at cruise power settings, (75 percent power at 5,000 feet) the Gemini 100 will have an hourly fuel consumption of 4.75 gph of Jet-A compared to the 6.6 gph of Avgas required by a typical Rotax 912 engine.

The Gemini 100 engine not only burns less fuel, it uses less-costly Jet-A fuel.

The Gemini 100 engine is designed to provide a 2,000-hour TBO (compared to 1,200 hours for the Rotax 912).

Powerplant Developments is initially targeting Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) both in the United States and the European Union. In the near future, the company plans to introduce higher power variants of the engine. These larger engines will feature a turbocharger to increase power while offloading the supercharger drive to the further benefit of both increased power and fuel efficiency. Current design studies have been completed for Gemini engines up to 600 horsepower.

Delivery of the first non-certified Gemini 100 engine to the Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) is planned for April 2008 and to the Certified Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) in November 2008. Delivery of the 125-horsepower turbocharged Gemini 125 engine to the Certified Light Sport Aircraft (S-LSA) market will also take place in November 2008.