Kalisz 2025-01-23
ASz-62 IR. 1960.
The PZL Mielec plant became the main manufacturer of the An-2 aircraft. It was also decided to locate the production of engines for these aircraft in Poland. Initially, engine production was planned to be located only in PZL Rzeszów, where production lasted from 1960 to 1963. However, a decision was made to also produce the engine in Kalisz, where the first unit was assembled in 1960. The ASz-62 IR engine in PZL Kalisz is still in production (2025). PZL Kalisz offers aircraft engines in the ASz-62IR-16, ASz-62IR-M18, ASz-62IR-M18/K9-BB versions.
The ASz-62 IR is an engine developed in CCCP based on the American Wright R-1820 engine, which was used, among others, to power B-17 bombers. The ASz-62 IR engine is a 9-cylinder, single-star, air-cooled, with a reduction gear, carburetor, and an inertial starter.
The ASz-62 IR engine was and is widely used in aircraft built in Poland: PZL An-2, PZL M 18 Dromader, PZL-106 Kruk. A major achievement of the plant was the use of the ASz-62 IR engine to power the Airtech Canada DHC-3/1000 Otter aircraft. The modification was made by Airtech Canada and consisted of using the PZL Kalisz ASz-62 IR engine with a power of 746 kW (1,000 HP).
The ASz-62 IR engine runs on aviation fuel, automotive gasoline, and alternative fuels. In 2013, the PZL Kalisz plant presented a version of the ASz-62 IR-16E engine with electronic fuel injection (without a carburetor). The entire control is electronic and designed by scientists from the Lublin University of Technology. The service life has been extended and the engine has more power. Its production started in 2015. The price of the engine is over PLN 300,000 (2015).
Basic data of the ASz-62 IR engine: diameter 1.38 m, dry engine weight 567 kg, capacity 29.911 liters (1,825 cubic inches, in American nomenclature), compression ratio 6.4, maximum power 1,000 HP, nominal power 820 HP, fuel consumption 200 l/h.
History of the PZL Kalisz factory.
1952 – production of 5-cylinder M-11D and M-11Fr engines, air-cooled, with a power of 125 HP, used to power PO-2, CSS-13 and Junak aircraft.
1956 – beginning of production of the 9-cylinder AI-14R engine, with a power of 260 HP, used to power the Jak-12, Gawron and Wilga aircraft.
1957 – launch of production of the radial 7-cylinder WN-3 engine, with a power of 320 HP, used to power the TS-6 Bies aircraft.
1960 – launch of production of the radial 9-cylinder ASz-62IR engine, with a power of 1,000 HP, used to power the AN-2 and M-18 aircraft.
1994 – beginning of cooperation in the production of parts for traction engines (piston inserts, connecting rods, gears).
1995 – beginning of cooperation in the production of parts for textile machines.
2010 – pursuant to the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of October 4, 2010, the company WSK “PZL-KALISZ” S.A., is one of the companies of special importance to the Polish national economy, conducting business for the needs of state security and defense and for maintaining international peace and security.
2011 – modernization of the ASz 62IR engine in the scope of power supply and electronic control of the engine operation.
ASz-62 IR series 16 aircraft engine.
The ASz-62 IR series 16 aircraft engine is a 9-cylinder, petrol, 4-stroke engine, built in a single star configuration, with a dual ignition system, air-cooled. Maximum power is 1,000 HP at 2,200 rpm. The engine is supplied with fuel through a carburetor or, in the case of the ASz-62IR-16E version, electronic injection. The engine is used in the PZL An-2, PZL M18 Dromader and Airtech Canada DHC-3/1000 Otter aircraft.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman