Ulpower Aero Engines

What Ulpower Aero Engines does

ULPower Aero Engines is a Belgian manufacturer (headquartered in Ieper) that designs and produces air-cooled, horizontally opposed 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder light aircraft piston engines spanning 97 hp to 220 hp. The portfolio comprises four series - UL260 (97-107 hp), UL350 (118-150 hp), UL390 (140-160 hp) and UL520 (180-220 hp) - with application-specific variants including high-compression (iS), aerobatic/inverted-flight (iSA), forced-cooling helicopter/gyrocopter (iF, iHPS), reversed rotation (iSRR), and turbocharged (UL520T) configurations. All engines ship as ready-to-fly packages integrating a proprietary FADEC ECU with multi-point fuel injection, dual electronic ignition, electronic RPM limiter, and a pressurized fuel system compatible with Avgas 100LL, UL91, and Mogas (including up to 15% ethanol blends).

The core technology is an in-house Full Authority Digital Engine Control system that reduces pilot workload to a single throttle lever, eliminates mixture/choke/carb-heat operations, and provides automatic altitude and temperature compensation. Key engineering differentiators include the inverted oil system enabling sustained aerobatic flight up to 90 degrees, a crankshaft-driven forced cooling system for rotorcraft hover operations, and a turbocharged variant maintaining full rated power to 15,000 ft density altitude. The ECU is manufactured within the ownership group and the engine is RTCA/DO-160D certified for EMC and vibration. A dual-ECU Active Standby option is offered for mission-critical applications.

ULPower's commercial model is hardware sales - engines, spare parts and installation kits - executed exclusively through a global authorized dealer and service-center network covering 20+ countries across EMEA, APAC and the Americas. Pricing is set by dealers to reflect local shipping, customs and taxes; manufacturer-suggested prices are treated as guidance. Customers are predominantly owners/builders of experimental and light sport aircraft and kit aircraft manufacturers (Van's, Zenith, Sling, Velocity, Technam, Aeroprakt, RANS, Just Aircraft). The company is privately held, has not disclosed external funding, and operates with a small Ieper-based headcount while relying on independent dealer partners for territory-level sales and service.

Name

Ulpower Aero Engines

Legal name

ULPower Aero Engines

Website

https://ulpower.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ULPower Aero Engines is a Belgian manufacturer of FADEC-controlled light aircraft piston engines (97-220 hp) for experimental, light sport, and rotorcraft applications, sold as ready-to-fly packages through a global authorized dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aircraft Piston Engines

NAICS

Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336412)

SIC

Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724)

akta.pro primary industry

Engine Control, Fuel & Ignition Systems (FADEC/Accessories) (IMABADAK)

Keywords

• Aircraft piston engines
• Light aircraft engines
• FADEC engine control
• Experimental aviation engines
• Aircraft engine manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Ieper

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Engine Sales: ULPower manufactures and sells complete aircraft engines (UL260, UL350, UL390, UL520 series) as ready-to-fly packages including ECU, wiring harness, ignition coils, exhaust, alternator, fuel pump, filters, starter, and mounts.
2. Spare Parts: Genuine ULPower spare parts including oil coolers, fuel system components, exhaust parts, ignition components, engine mounts, ECU sensors, alternator/regulator parts, propeller mounts, and general parts. Parts priced in euros.
3. Engine Installation Kits: Pre-configured kits for engine installation including oil cooler kits, fuel connection kits, additional fuel pump kits, air inlet boxes, sensors kits, and maintenance kits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ulpower Aero Engines designs and manufactures light aircraft piston engines (4-cylinder and 6-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled) ranging from 97 hp to 220 hp, featuring FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) with multi-point fuel injection and dual electronic ignition. The company sells ready-to-fly engine packages, installation kits, spare parts, and the ULRead diagnostic software, distributing exclusively through a global network of authorized dealers and service centers serving the experimental, light sport, kit-built, aerobatic, and rotorcraft aircraft markets.

Product overview

ULPower Aero Engines manufactures a comprehensive line of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder horizontally opposed aircraft engines ranging from 97 hp to 220 hp. The product portfolio includes four engine series: UL260 (97-107 hp), UL350 (118-150 hp), UL390 (140-160 hp), and UL520 (180-220 hp). Each series offers multiple variants including standard (i), sport/high-compression (iS), aerobatic with inverted flight capability (iSA), forced cooling (iF/iHPS), reversed rotation (iSRR), and turbocharged (T) configurations. All engines feature FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) with multi-point fuel injection and dual electronic ignition as standard. The engines are delivered as complete ready-to-fly packages including ECU, wiring harness, stainless steel exhaust, alternator, fuel pump, filters, and more. ULPower also provides ULRead diagnostic software, comprehensive spare parts, and installation kits. The company sells directly and through authorized dealers globally, with head office in Belgium.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UL260i 4-cylinder, 97 hp aircraft engine with electronic fuel injection and dual ignition, designed for single or 2-seat aircraft with excellent power-to-weight ratio.
• UL260iS High-compression 107 hp version of the UL260i running on Avgas or Mogas 97/98 for aircraft requiring more power within weight constraints.
• UL260iSA Aerobatic version of the UL260iS with inverted oil system allowing sustained inverted flight up to 90-degree angles.
• UL260iF Electronically limited 100 hp version of the UL260iS featuring forced air cooling for improved performance in demanding conditions and homologation compliance.
• UL350i 118 hp 4-cylinder engine with 8% wider design than UL260 series, supporting Avgas, Mogas 95, 97/98, and Mogas with up to 15% ethanol.
• UL350iS 130 hp high-compression 4-cylinder engine for demanding applications like glider towing, running on Avgas or Mogas 97/98.
• UL350iSA Aerobatic version of the UL350iS with inverted oil system and modified oil sump for sustained inverted flight operations.
• UL350iHPS 150 hp engine specifically developed for helicopters and gyrocopters up to 550 kg MTOW, featuring forced cooling system with crankshaft-driven fan for hovering operations.
• UL390i 140 hp 6-cylinder heavy-duty engine for 2 or 4-seat aircraft, featuring 7-bearing crankshaft with surface hardening treatment and 50A DC output.
• UL390iS 160 hp 6-cylinder engine for 2 or 4-seat aircraft where maximum power and fuel efficiency with Mogas 97/98 are priorities.
• UL390iSA Aerobatic version of the UL390iS with inverted oil system, 5-liter oil capacity, and modified oil pick-up for sustained inverted flight.
• UL520i 180 hp 6-cylinder, 5.2-liter engine weighing only 108 kg, running on minimum 95 octane Mogas.
• UL520iS 200 hp 6-cylinder engine delivering maximum power for aircraft applications, requiring Mogas 97/98 or Avgas for optimal performance.
• UL520iSA Ultimate aerobatic engine variant with 200 hp, featuring inverted oil system with 5-liter oil capacity for sustained inverted flight operations.
• UL520iSRR Reversed rotation version of the UL520iS for dual-engine aircraft and pusher configurations, allowing use of standard ULPower-compatible propellers.
• UL520T Turbocharged 220 hp engine maintaining full power from sea level to 15,000 ft altitude, featuring integrated turbocharger with ceramic ball bearings, electronic overboost limiter, and factory-installed exhaust system with waste gate.
• ULRead Software Windows-based diagnostic software that receives ECU data and displays engine parameters (RPM, throttle position, air/oil temperature, air/fuel pressure, ECU voltage, fuel consumption) with sensor failure highlighting.
• Spare Parts Comprehensive range of genuine ULPower spare parts including lubrication system components, fuel system parts, exhaust components, ignition systems, engine mounts, oils, ECU sensors, alternators, regulators, and propeller mounts.
• Installation Kits Pre-configured kits for engine installation including oil cooler kits (4-cylinder and 6-cylinder), fuel connection kits, additional fuel pump kits, air inlet boxes, sensors kits (CHT and EGT), maintenance kits, throttle cable kits, and cylinder head oil line kits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Extended TBO to 2,000 hours or 12 years for naturally aspirated engines (SN > 250,000)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered regional.

• Bundu AviationregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial service point for South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola. Contact: Philip Cronje, +27 12 743 6315, [email protected]
• ULPower OceaniaregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgent for Australia and New Zealand. Contact: Les Elliott, +61 (0)419 444 546, [email protected]
• Flyer Co. LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales and service point for Taiwan. Contact: Robin Chen, +886 0988571001, [email protected]
• Porta Quality SolutionsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial sales and service point for Germany. Contact: Axel Bruse & Jorg Wolter, +49 1718392858, [email protected]
• Skywalker Light Aircraft CompanyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgent for China (Kunshan Aviation Industrial Park). Contact: Lite Chang, +86 13100145818, [email protected]
• VEHRA.CZregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial sales and service point for Czech Republic and Slovakia. Contact: Mr. Vratislav Hrachovec, +420 732 749 709, [email protected]
• TASTregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales/service point for Argentina. Contact: Mr. Widder, +54 342 4742814, [email protected]
• Kaolin Aviation Services LLCregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial sales and service point for ULPower Aero Engines at the east side of USA. Contact: Ray Lawrence, +1 478-232-9560, [email protected]
• Metal Seagulls Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial dealer for UK, Ireland, Iceland and West Africa. Contact: Jonathan Porter and Patricia Mawuli, +44 (0)7502 593 671, [email protected]
• Services AeromaxregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial point de vente et de services for France. Contact: Jean Michel Blanc, 06.59.35.66.06, [email protected]
• CM AVIATIONregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial service point for ULPower Aero Engines in Italy. Contact: Marco Curreli, 0039 3280567497, [email protected]
• Fly 13 Mytzu S.r.lregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial sales and service point for Romania. Contact: Mihai Floriean, +40723.051.596, [email protected]
• Aviasich LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial sales and service point for Ukraine (Kiev). Contact: Vladymyr Yakimov, +38 044 408 9374, [email protected]
• AG Verslas - Baltic AircraftregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial sales and service point for Lithuania. Contact: Vytautas Rafanavicius /Andrius Navickas, +37068634414, [email protected]
• Wheels and Wings LLCregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial sales and service point for ULPower Aero Engines in USA (Florida). LSRM-A Certified for Light Sport Maintenance. Zenith 2 Week wonder assembly center. Contact: Herman Eshuis, +1-386-690-4239, [email protected]
• Quality Sport PlanesregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales and service point for USA (California). Contact: Ivan Gromala, 707-894-4084, [email protected]
• Part 66 MaintenanceregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorService point for New Zealand. Contact: Brett Puddle +64210341169, Shane Hickman +6421949229, [email protected]
• skymotorsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorService point for Italy. Contact: Vacchi Mirko, Marando Laura, +39 3336261538, [email protected]
• Aeronautica AviationregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales and service point for Saudi Arabia (Riyadh). Contact: Fawaz Alsaleh, +966 50 388 5381, [email protected]
• Pixys Aviation B.V.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial sales and service center for Netherlands. Contact: Marcel Heijmans, +31 6 53970367, [email protected]

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Aeromomentum: Aeromomentum builds small turbocharged automotive-derived aircraft engines (AM15, AM20) for experimental aircraft, a niche emerging competitor to ULPower's UL520T turbocharged variant.
• EPS (Engineered Propulsion Systems): EPS offers the Graflight V8 engine, a high-power diesel/aircraft piston concept for experimental aviation, providing a comparable architectural alternative to ULPower's high-horsepower turbocharged offering.

Direct peers

• Lycoming Engines: Lycoming is the largest piston aircraft engine OEM (O-360, IO-540, etc.) and a primary competitor to ULPower in experimental, certified, and light-sport aircraft, though it is heavily skewed to certified aviation.
• Viking Aircraft Engines: Viking manufactures replacement and re-manufactured Lycoming/Continental-style piston aircraft engines (110/120 hp class), directly comparable to ULPower as a non-OEM entrant in the experimental/LSA market.
• Continental Aerospace Technologies: Continental manufactures certified and experimental piston aircraft engines (IO-240, O-200, O-300, etc.) directly competing with ULPower's 4- and 6-cylinder families in the kit/experimental segment.
• HKS Aviation Engines (formerly Hirth): HKS produces two-stroke and four-stroke light aircraft piston engines (including helicopter applications) overlapping with ULPower's UL350iHPS helicopter/gyrocopter engine family.
• BRP-Rotax (Rotax Aircraft Engines): Rotax is the dominant supplier of light/experimental aircraft piston engines (912/915 series), the closest direct competitor to ULPower across 4-cylinder 80–120 hp and turbocharged configurations serving the same LSA/experimental builder market.
• Austro Engine (Diamond Aircraft): Austro Engine develops the AE family of jet-fuel-burning piston engines for Diamond's own LSA/composite aircraft, competing with ULPower in the modern FADEC-equipped light aviation segment.
• Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd: Jabiru produces light aircraft piston engines (2200/3300 series) commonly used in LSA and experimental aircraft, overlapping directly with ULPower's 4- and 6-cylinder offerings in a similar price/power class.

Others

• MT-Propeller (Hoffmann): MT-Propeller is a leading supplier of certified propellers for light/experimental aircraft engines including ULPower installations; adjacent ecosystem participant rather than direct engine competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ULPower
• Xx.com/ulpower
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ulpower-aero-engines

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ulpower Aero Engines