Liberty XL2 fitted with the British WAM120 turbodiesel engine.

LIBERTY may become the first manufacturer to use the Wilksch WAM120 turbodiesel aero engine in a factory-built certified aircraft. 

Florida-based Liberty, which has strong UK links, showed off an XL2 fitted with the 120hp three-cylinder Jet-A1 burning engine at the EAA AirVenture.

Paul Bartlett, the British boss of Liberty, told LOOP that the engine was a "strategic must for us". He continued: "The engine is the right size, has the right amount of power, weighs no more than the current Continental engine and offers 120kt at a fuel burn of 5.5 US gallons per hour."

Most importantly for Liberty, an aircraft using relatively low-cost Jet-A1 would be highly attractive in Europe, and elsewhere in the world where the supply of avgas is limited.

Liberty also launched the XL2 Vanguard, an up-spec version of the aircraft fitted with dual Aspen Avionics electronic flight displays which replace the Vision Systems engine displays.

W: www.libertyaircraft.com

New up-spec Vanguard version of the Liberty XL2.

Twin Aspen EFIS panel fitted to new Liberty XL2 Vanguard.