Rolls-Royce / Continental O-240-A and O-240-E in Reims Aerobats

The Rolls-Royce / Continental O-240-A and O-240-E belong to the higher-power Reims Aerobat research path, not a universal Cessna 150 engine specification. the FRA150L relationship names the O-240-A. FRA150M entries allow O-240-A or O-240-E with an important distinction: the E installation records 130 hp at 2,800 RPM for takeoff and 123 hp at 2,650 RPM continuously. A single “130 hp” label loses that operating distinction.

Reims F150 G-BAXU taxiing at Gloucestershire Airport — Reims F150 G-BAXU at Gloucestershire Airport. This French-built family example illustrates the Reims production branch. Photo: James from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized, WebP.

Why A and E are covered together

These two engine identities share a narrow aircraft context and a directly useful comparison. The A/E suffix is not merely a spelling variation. The engine-characteristics table preserves each identity; the installation table below it carries the additional takeoff/continuous restriction for the E configuration. Reading the two together prevents the broad engine rating from replacing the aircraft installation limits.

The controlling aircraft context is TCDS A13EU. Read the applicable model section and configuration notes alongside the aircraft records. The Reims guide explains why this reference cannot simply be replaced with a U.S. 150 certificate or an O-200-powered aircraft’s handbook.

Engine characteristics and aircraft rating
Engine	Characteristic	Value	Source	Specification Source
O-240-A	Manufacturer	Continental Aerospace Technologies / Rolls-Royce	[1]	[2]
O-240-A	TC	E11EU	[1]	[2]
O-240-A	Aircraft installed hp	130	[1]	[2]
O-240-A	Aircraft max rpm	2800	[1]	[2]
O-240-A	Engine TC / manufacturer rated hp	130	[1]	[2]
O-240-A	Engine rated rpm	2800	[1]	[2]
O-240-A	Displacement cu in	240	[1]	[2]
O-240-A	Compression	-	[1]	[2]
O-240-A	Configuration	4-cylinder horizontally opposed, spark ignition, four-stroke	[1]	[2]
O-240-A	Induction	Carbureted	[1]	[2]
O-240-A	Drive	Direct	[1]	[2]
O-240-A	Fuel	100/130 minimum aviation gasoline	[1]	[2]
O-240-E	Manufacturer	Continental Aerospace Technologies / Rolls-Royce	[1]	[2]
O-240-E	TC	E11EU	[1]	[2]
O-240-E	Aircraft installed hp	130	[1]	[2]
O-240-E	Aircraft max rpm	2800	[1]	[2]
O-240-E	Engine TC / manufacturer rated hp	130	[1]	[2]
O-240-E	Engine rated rpm	2800	[1]	[2]
O-240-E	Displacement cu in	240	[1]	[2]
O-240-E	Compression	-	[1]	[2]
O-240-E	Configuration	4-cylinder horizontally opposed, spark ignition, four-stroke	[1]	[2]
O-240-E	Induction	Carbureted	[1]	[2]
O-240-E	Drive	Direct	[1]	[2]
O-240-E	Fuel	100/130 minimum aviation gasoline	[1]	[2]

Table sources:

FRA150L and FRA150M installation boundaries

The recorded FRA150L groups run from FRA1500121 through FRA1500261 across 1972-1974. FRA150M groups continue from FRA1500262 through FRA1500336 across 1975-1977. Each annual interval appears separately below. The apparent continuity of the serial series does not erase the L-to-M change or turn the E engine into an established option for every earlier aircraft.

The applicability basis also names eligible FA150L or FA150M aircraft with kits FKA150-2311 and FKA150-2316. Kit eligibility is conditional: neither a serial number nor a base-prefix description proves that the required configuration was accomplished. Research the aircraft identity, kit records and approved operating documentation together. The FRA150L and FRA150M pages retain the model-level explanation; an unsupported standalone FA150M page has not been invented.

Recorded installation groups: eligibility is not installed-equipment proof
Origin	Model Year	Aircraft Model	Factory Engine	Installed hp	RPM Limit	First Serial in Group	Last Serial in Group	Applicability Basis	Aircraft Source
France	1972	FRA150L	O-240-A	130	2800	FRA1500121	FRA1500166	A13EU FRA150L / eligible FA150L with FKA150-2311 and FKA150-2316	[1]
France	1973	FRA150L	O-240-A	130	2800	FRA1500167	FRA1500211	A13EU FRA150L / eligible FA150L with FKA150-2311 and FKA150-2316	[1]
France	1974	FRA150L	O-240-A	130	2800	FRA1500212	FRA1500261	A13EU FRA150L / eligible FA150L with FKA150-2311 and FKA150-2316	[1]
France	1975	FRA150M	O-240-A or O-240-E	130 TO / 123 O-240-E continuous	2800 TO / 2650 O-240-E continuous	FRA1500262	FRA1500281	A13EU FRA150M / eligible FA150M with FKA150-2311 and FKA150-2316	[1]
France	1976	FRA150M	O-240-A or O-240-E	130 TO / 123 O-240-E continuous	2800 TO / 2650 O-240-E continuous	FRA1500282	FRA1500311	A13EU FRA150M / eligible FA150M with FKA150-2311 and FKA150-2316	[1]
France	1977	FRA150M	O-240-A or O-240-E	130 TO / 123 O-240-E continuous	2800 TO / 2650 O-240-E continuous	FRA1500312	FRA1500336	A13EU FRA150M / eligible FA150M with FKA150-2311 and FKA150-2316	[1]

Table sources:

[1] Type certificate A13EU: certification and model identity

Reims Cessna FRA150L Aerobat G-BABD parked on grass — Reims Cessna FRA150L Aerobat G-BABD at Duxford. This view illustrates the FRA branch; it does not expose or identify the installed engine. Photo: Alan Wilson from Peterborough, Cambs, UK · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized, WebP.

The BRM propeller relationship

The exact propeller application recorded for these FRA configurations is McCauley 1A135/BRM7150. That relationship is narrower than saying that a propeller used on a Reims aircraft fits any F150. Its diameter and static-RPM limits are presented with the engine pairing and FRA configuration below. Those limits are not interchangeable with the OCM applications on O-200-powered aircraft or the TCM application associated with the 152 family.

Propeller applications with original model and configuration scope
Origin	Aircraft Model	Model Year / Config	Engine	Exact Propeller Application	Maximum diameter (in)	Minimum diameter (in)	Static RPM minimum	Static RPM maximum	Notes	Primary Authority
France	FRA150L	FRA configuration	O-240-A	1A135/BRM7150	71	70	2400	2500	130 hp Reims Aerobat configuration.	[1]
France	FRA150M	FRA configuration	O-240-A / O-240-E	1A135/BRM7150	71	70	2400	2500	O-240-E noted for FA00262 and up in MAG; A13EU controls eligibility.	[1]

Table sources:

[1] FAA TCDS A13EU: Reims F150, FA150 and FRA150 Identity

Comparing the aircraft as an owner

Higher rated power alone does not supply a useful-load or performance comparison. Installed engine and propeller weight, approved limits, empty-weight records and the appropriate performance material all matter. The U.S. 150 tables do not establish the certified Reims CG envelope, nor does a standard-model cruise figure establish FRA150 Aerobat performance. The available relationships support identity and installation research more strongly than a universal numerical mission comparison.

A buyer should therefore identify the engine suffix before assessing the seller's claims about power or operating practice. For an E installation, a claim that the takeoff rating describes unrestricted continuous operation would conflict with the recorded distinction. This is a question for the applicable flight manual and installation records, not an invitation to reconstruct operating procedures from a summary table.

Reims F150 G-BFIY viewed from the front quarter — Reims F150 G-BFIY at Turweston. Use the aircraft records to establish its exact model and current equipment. Photo: James from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized, WebP.

Manuals and continuing research

The handbook evidence identifies D1015-13GB for FRA150L and D1056-13GB for FRA150M in the recognized Reims flight-manual families. An authority report recognizing those publications is evidence of their identity and scope; it is not itself a substitute flight manual or proof that a particular aircraft carries all necessary amendments. Follow the Cessna 150 manuals guide to the source references and preserve any aircraft-specific supplements.

Maintenance and modification research should keep the engine, airframe and jurisdiction questions separate. The presence of a higher-power engine does not establish legal approval for every installation, aerobatic manoeuvre or later alteration. The Aerobat guide supplies the category context, while the buying guide explains how to compare documented configurations. Confirm exact limits and installed equipment from the aircraft’s approval, operating documentation and maintenance records.

O-240 and IO-240 are different research identities

The Continental 200-series sheet includes IO-240-B. It does not establish the specifications of the Rolls-Royce O-240-A or O-240-E used in this Reims research. Preserve the full prefix and suffix when searching publications; a similar displacement label is not an engine substitution or installation approval.