Fred,
    I can not stay out of this one.  I agree 100% with part of your
statement, "I believe that control of risk rest primarily in the hands of
the builder and pilot."  I have a problem with the second half of your
quote, " not in the engine wherever it may come from."  So a builder must
get the real data and truth from empirical testing not half truths and out
and out lies.

    The real truth about the reliability of TSIO-550's and TIO-540's are
that many hundreds of these engines have made TBO with no problems.
Empirical testing and in service flying has proven that the Cont. and
Lycoming engines work well in planes of all types.  On the other hand
EngineAir has never flown even 500 documented hours in a plane without
failure.  For them to get the 700 plus hours they claim to have in Jim's
old plane are pure fabrications.  They used many engines and gearboxes to
get the hours of service they claim.  Builder and pilot beware of false
claims and be sure the empirical testing is real.

    I understand that Jim sold his airplane to someone in Mexico and while
it was being flown to the new buyer the ferry pilot had two or three engine
out situation.  I hope Fred you have better luck that Jim or Tom or Doug
with your EingineAIr power plant.  Remember pilots beware and be safe.

Rick Schrameck
Legacy doing his own empirical testing.

ps:  George hit the auto fuel issue right on the button.  This guy knows
what he is doing.