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Continental O-200

The Continental C90 and O-200 are a family of air-cooled, horizontally opposed, four-cylinder, direct-drive aircraft engines of 201 in³ (3.29 L) displacement, producing between 90 and 100 horsepower (67 and 75 kW). Built by Continental Motors these engines are used in many light aircraft designs of the United States, including the early Piper PA-18 Super Cub, the Champion 7EC, the Alon Aircoupe, and the Cessna 150.

In a cooperative venture, Rolls-Royce produced these same designs in England, under separate certification, with model designations beginning RR, e.g. the Rolls-Royce RR C90-12FH is the equivalent of the Continental C90-12FH; the Rolls-Royce versions are "directly interchangeable with the equivalent models manufactured by Continental." The Rolls-Royce O-200-A powers the Beagle B.121 Pup 100, the Bölkow BO 208 C Junior, the Avions Robin DR 220, and the Morane-Saulnier MS-880.

Though the C90 was superseded by the O-200, and many of the designs utilizing the O-200 had gone out of production by 1980, with the 2004 publication of the United States Federal Aviation Administration light-sport aircraft regulations came a resurgence in demand for the O-200. The O-200 powers the upcoming Cessna 162 Skycatcher, the American Champion 7EC, the Cub Crafters Sport Cub, the American Legend Aircraft Legend Cub, the Aircraft Manufacturing and Development Zodiac, and the IndUS Aviation Sport E.

Development and operational history

The C90 was introduced in 1947 as a follow-on to the A-65, which had been in production since 1939. Many of the designs powered by the C90 are upgraded variants of earlier A-65 powered designs, such as the Piper J-3 Cub and PA-11 Cub Special, Aeronca 7AC, and Luscombe 8A.

This engine family is considered to be dependable, according to both industry publications and the FAA.

Record applications

An engine designated the IOL-200, an O-200 variant modified with fuel injection and liquid cooling, powered the 1986 non-stop, non-refueled global circumnavigation flight of the Rutan Voyager. The 110-horsepower (82 kW) IOL-200, also referred to as the Voyager 200, was the rear engine and—unlike the forward engine, another modified engine, a Continental-built O-240—ran throughout the entire 9-day flight save for a four-minute shutdown due to a fuel problem.

Formula One racer Nemesis, the Sharp DR 90 designed and flown by Jon Sharp, was powered by a 'stock' O-200. Between 1991 and 1999, the plane won 45 of the 48 events in which it was entered, as well as winning three Louis Blèriot Medals, four Pulitzer Trophies, and setting 16 speed records in its class. In one of those records, Nemesis was clocked at over 290 mph (467 km/h). By contrast, the O-200 powered Legend Cub cruises at 95 mph (152.9 kp/h).

Design

Four-stroke reciprocating engines, all versions of the C90 and O-200 are similar in size, displacement, and weight. These engines are typically fitted with an updraft carburetor, though the C90-8FJ, -12FJ, and -14FJ are equipped with fuel injection systems. They utilize a redundant ignition system requiring no external power, driving two magnetos, each of which fires one spark plug per cylinder. Each cylinder has one intake valve and one exhaust valve, pushrod-activated.

Continental's recommended time between overhaul (TBO) for these engines is 1,800 hours of operation or 12 years in service, whichever is reached first. The standard certification for the C90 and O-200 specifies the use of aviation gasoline of a minimum 80/87 grade; both are eligible for operation on automobile gasoline on the basis of Supplemental Type Certificates.

C90

While the C90 is approved for takeoff power of 95 horsepower (71 kW) for 5 minutes, the designation derives from its continuous power rating of 90 hp (67 kW). As noted above, certain models of the C90 replace the usual carburetor with a fuel injection system. In addition, there are models which provide for the installation of a controllable pitch propeller and one, the C90-12FP, designed for pusher installation. While slightly less horsepower than the O200, many floatplane operators prefer the performance of the C90 over the O200, due to its higher torque at lower rpm. This is primarily due to the C90's camshaft design.

O-200

The O-200 is an updated and upgraded version of the engine, achieving increased power of 100 hp (75 kW) as a result of higher maximum rpm. The standard and most common model of the engine is the O-200-A; the -B model is designed for pusher installation, and the -C model provides for the installation of a controllable pitch propeller.