Group,

 I want to clarify something I said earlier. I have no doubt that operating the rotary "plugs up" can be done and done well. The thing to remember is that the rotary isn't really a "sided" engine. Everett Hatch built versions of the engine that ran plugs up, standard orientation, and even ran backward, that is used the exhaust ports as intakes. The variety is endless. In a PP layout all sorts of unusual arrangements are possible. The thrust of my comment is that if you choose to run an engine in other than the standard orientation YOU are now responsible for your success or failure.

 I want to add that if any normal engine parameter is ignored, (like 20 seconds without oil pressure in the case of the engine failure we are talking about) the operator is an IDIOT! Capital I. If you started your car and the oil pressure light stayed on for 5 second you would think it an eternity. Any intallation you do doesn't eliminate the need for common sense. I also don't believe anyone on this list would run their engine for 20 seconds without oil pressure. (even once, let alone repeatedly) If I had known this guy I'd have told him I wouldn't even stand next to his airplane so I wouldn't get hit by parts once it exploded.

Bill Jepson