FYI-
We've built several rotary engines for light aircraft use -both N/A and turbo versions. We first built a 3-rotor turbo engine 15 yrs ago for a customer's airplane and have built 4 more 3-rotor aircraft engines since, including an aluminum side housng 3-rotor turbo engine for a pusher type aircraft- Total engine weight was 322lbs. including intake manifolds and turbo manifold. Considerable weight savings for a 3-rotor engine.







Our latest project- a 3 rotor turbo airboat, using the same reduction drive as in an aircraft application.


We used an Electromotive TEC3R engine management & their crank trigger ignition system on these applications.

 

For the record people still flies across the Atlantic. I had 2 customers that would fly their Bonanza to the UK from NY every year.
All Rotary Powered aicraft falls under Xperiment they follow different FAR regulations.
Rotary Powred aircraft engine are cheaper to overhaul versus piston and they last longer between overhaul.
As for prop and reduction gears they came a long way. There are so option these days that makes super reliable.
Engine failure a good pilot would know how to react to piston or rotary.. windmill your prop, flaps up gear up etc

 

I think it's pretty cool. Fresh motors like that with low amounts of rev/load changes compared to a car seems like it would last pretty well.