A method of controlling an air intake flow in a rotary engine having primary and secondary inlet ports, including positioning the secondary inlet port rearwardly of the primary inlet port and forwardly of the exhaust port along a direction of a revolution of the rotor, and controlling air intake flows communicating between an air source and the primary and secondary inlet ports. During engine start-up, a primary valve is closed to prevent the intake air flow between the primary inlet port and the air source and a secondary valve is opened to allow the intake air flow between the secondary inlet port and the air source. A rotary engine defining different compression ratios through actuation of a valve is also discussed.