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However, I believe, there
is plenty of objective evidence that says the rotary is comparable or better
than the Lycoming in just about any aspect you want to consider.
Hi Ed,
I would agree with the above statement, but
unfortunately, the one key area where the rotary clearly hasn't
demonstrated superiority is "FWF reliability". The rotary group
has had way too many failures in the past couple years,
and this needs to be the area we work on. Most of it has been
silly things, and I'm certainly ashamed for my contribution to the
problems.
Even the Aviation Sport article supports
that conclusion
Does anyone
have an electronic copy of this article they could send me? I guess I'm
the only one who hasn't read it.
certainly cost less (even if you have
to buy engine parts new), etc., etc. So no doubt there is some
rationalization- but I'm not certain over what?
I would argue cost, and have in the past. I would
(actually have) bet real money that the $21k Lyclone I just
installed on the RV-8 will work out to be cheaper than a rotary engine
installation over the few years (at least) that I hope to fly this plane.
This factors in resale of course.
IF somebody would take the rotary and
produce a reasonably price FWF kit, I believe you would find the rotary
installations would expand exponentially. Most folks are understandably a
bit daunted by the challenge of designing and putting that all together on
their on.
Amen brother!!! This is certainly what would need to
happen. Powersport made a great engine installation, but at such a
high price that not too many people bought it. If someone like
Eggenfellner would make a rotary package, it would be expensive, but from a name
that people know (whether they can spell it or not), and trust. I would
certainly hope that people would see the value of a rotary over the Subaru given
the same price, and FWF producer.
Better get started on that article now :-) Actually, I was
wondering if the rotary group could put together it's own fly-off between
similar planes. It would have to be well documented, but we have
enough engineers here to make sure of that. Heck, in the not too
distant future, we should ( <--- key word <g>) have a 2 and 3 rotor
RV-8 to test against my Lycoming.
Cheers,
Rusty (T-minus about 53 hours until I'm back
home)
PS, can't wait to hear how the 500HP Lancair
flies!
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