The Top 80 is an Italian single cylinder, 2-stroke aircraft engine designed and produced by Per Il Volo for Powered Paragliding. It was the first purpose-designed Paramotor engine!
The Top 80 was developed specifically for the Per Il Volo Miniplane, which was introduced in 1989.
The engine uses fan-cooling and a Walbro WG-8 diaphragm carburetor. Designed for light weight as the overall consideration, the engine weighs 10 kg (22.0 lb), plus the exhaust system weight of 1.5 kg (3.5 lb - NEW Aluminum Style). With the Walbro carburetor the Top 80 produces 11 kW (14.8 hp) at 9500 rpm.
Power is delivered to the two-bladed wooden propeller though a reverse-turning gear box to reduce output net torque felt by the pilot during acceleration and deceleration. The oil filled gearbox can be fitted with 22/70 gears giving a reduction ratio of 3:182, 21/71 gears giving 3.381, 20/72 gears giving 3.60, 19/73 gears giving 3.842 or 18/74 gears with a ratio of 4.111.
The engine also features a centrifugal clutch that allows idling without turning the propeller, a useful feature in its main application on a paramotor, where it improves ground safety.