In 2001 the founding partners of ULPower were asked to fix an issue with a Jabiru engine fitted into a helicopter. By examining the setup they decided to build a new engine from scratch instead, because the particular Jabiru engine simply was too small for the application. The new engine should have the following aims and objectives: FADEC, simple, robust, easy to maintain, low parts count, high power to weight ratio and low cost of ownership. The founding partners had years of experience in the professional automotive rally industry. This included engine design, development and production for the Dakar Rally and a proprietary ECU Based on the years of engine experience from Rally, the prototype helicopter engine and the proprietary ECU, they decided to form a company producing aero engines. A couple of more objectives were added: The engine should be direct drive, air cooled and be able to run on both AVGAS and MOGAS with ethanol.
