The popular Two-Ten engine, known as the SOLO 210 and now the newer variant, the Hirth Aero 210, has a long, proud history.

Some pilots have expressed a concern over whether an engine of only 210 cubic-centimeters capacity will have enough power to carry them aloft.

It is not a question of weather the 210 engine is up to it, but rather how the engine is used, the design and layout of the power pack, and VERY careful selection of propeller and reduction drive. Also, the use of a properly resonant tuned exhaust (and appropriate prop and redrive) may almost double the available thrust, without any penalty in terms of engine reliability or durability.

We have comfortably flown our standard XPLORER as a tandem, with pilot and passenger weighing in at 170kg (370 lbs+) without any problems.

The correct wing selection is vital, as is sufficient powered paragliding flight experience when you load up this much.

The 210 and its various variations are used in over 70% of powered paragliders worldwide.
Adventure paramotors in France pioneered their usage shortly after the SOLO 210 design was changed to a Nikasil coated barrel, and it has proven itself as a formidable aviation workhorse over the years. Their very first 210 engines are still flying! Shows how reliable these engines are.

Some background info on the 210:

The design is late sixties (i.e. thirty years old!)
Over the years they included new technologies as these became available, e.g. changed over to cast Ali alloys (with steel insert for barrel), then hard-chromed barrel, and finally Nikasil barrel.
Also changed over to solid-state CDI ignition shortly after this was invented.
A few cylinder-head mods were introduced as the importance of Squish Clearance became known and improvements were developed.
Changed alloys on the conrod and on the piston.

However, the basic design and layout is still the same! This means they still have the SAME inlet port, exhaust port, transfer ports, and the port timing and port areas remain unchanged. Shows how far ahead of their time they were.

In those days, there was no computers, no simulations and much less understanding of the finer design details, so they simply built it as strong as they could. Nowadays engines are built to very close tolerances, based on structural stress analysis, and computerized forecasts on wear and tear, heat transfer, etc. Today's engines are much more powerful and have much improved acceleration, but they simply do NOT have the same reliability, durability or longevity built-in.

Visualize the renowned Dakota DC3 aircraft. When it was built, they had no idea how to calculate structural stresses in the wings, so they simply built them as strong as their technology allowed. As it turned out, they had overdesigned in the order of a few magnitudes. The result was the airframe and wings far outlasted all expectations and are still seen in regular service. Our (South African) Air Force still has plenty DC3's being used as light transporters, though they have seen over 10 times more airtime than intended. That's a factor of 1000% over the intended design flight service! Some are now fitted with turbo-props and comfortably handle the increased loads and speeds, even at their advanced age.

I tend to believe that the 210 engine will become as legendary in its own lifetime.

Granted, its power and torque curves leave a lot to be desired by modern standards, but they suit our application as if purpose designed, allowing compact reduction ratio's and perfectly suiting the propeller diameters we need as well as perfectly suiting our low airspeed.

It was originally designed for; and is still used extensively, as an agricultural engine, expected to run for days on end. It is often refuelled without stopping. One common usage is as a crop mister, whereby it swings a 70cm plastic fan-blade, and atomized water is introduced into the airstream to keep the foliage wet and cool in arid environments or during the harsh dry season.

Many powered paragliding brands use the 210 -- Adventure, Fly, Fresh Breeze, Xplorer, Paramotor (that's a brand name, as well as being used generically), La Mouette, and probably others that I can't think of right now.

And now we are seeing the emergence of improved versions. The 210 is basically an agricultural engine as mentioned above, where it often runs for days at a constant RPM.

In aviation, and with dynamic throttle control, the engine is expected to frequently accelerate and decelerate according to flight needs. Furthermore, everyone wants a little extra power for safer takeoffs, bigger pilots, tandem, utility vehicle, higher altitudes, etc.

Many of the more powerful paramotors, such as our Xplorer, use expansion-chamber style, tuned-exhaust systems which are resonant and effectively "super-charge" the engine for increased hp, torque, or both. This places additional strain on the crankshaft and conrod.

Hirth Ultralight Aviation Engines now has a Hirth Aero 210 variant with an improved crankshaft and conrod, using special alloys.

Furthermore, the Tillotson carb (and Walbro), as often used, was designed for chainsaws and the like, i.e. good idle, good top-end, but very little in between. Now we are seeing much better carbs in usage. Some are using slide-type carbs, such as the Bing carbs seen on BMW motorcycles, and more recently, better diaphragm carbs with low, mid and high circuits, and often with a choke for easier cold-starts.

The ignition system is also being improved, with increased Wattage, lower RPM minimum firing, improved timing arrangement, etc.

This ongoing development by so many different companies indicates the faith the market still has for the trusty old 210 motor.

However, it must be said that simply using a 210 engine is not in itself enough to make a good paramotor. Much modifications and enhancements are required, plus very careful design and selection of reduction drive and propeller combination, and an amazing amount of R&D in the framework and mountings to minimize propeller induced forces (Prop torque effect, Gyro precession, and ABT), as well as maximizing frame strength while minimizing overall weight.