A Durban company has unveiled a light aircraft engine which can operate on biofuel or liquid petroleum gas.

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“Our technology benchmarks South Africa against the finest aviation engineering in the world,” said Andre Schoeman, chairman of ADEPT Airmotive, the company that developed the engine.

The liquid-cooled engine, with advanced electronic engine management, was launched at Virginia Airport in Durban.

It was fitted to a South African designed SA Ravin 500 light aircraft.

The department of science and technology invested R10.5 million to fund ADEPT Airmotive to a pre-production stage.

“Through investment in local research and development, it is fair to say that ADEPT is providing the catalyst for a genuinely world class general aviation manufacturing industry,” said Schoeman.

He said the engine produced 320 horsepower, and boasted the lowest lead, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions and noise levels.

United Kingdom based AgustaWestland Helicopters also provided financial support to ADEPT's certification process through the European Aviation and Safety Agency.