|
Paul,
In defense of the "Ada crew" you
referred to, let's set the record straight on a few things you
mentioned.
First, let me state that I'm an EI
user, advocate and believer. I have a normaly aspirated IO-540 with one
mag and one LSE. In 300 hours, I've had my mag out twice for
repairs. While my LSE is the second EI, I've had (the first was an
Electroair that gave me nothing but trouble until I finally gave up and replaced
it) once I got it set up properly, it's been trouble free. So I'm with you
on EI's.
What the Ada guys deal with is hard
fact and quantifiable data. The primary supplier if the EI's in use in the
experimental market is Klaus Sauvier and he refuses to provide anyone any data
on the timing curves used in the LSE ignitions. Without that, nobody can
do a thorough analysis of them because they have no manufacturer's baseline to
work with. It's that lack of data that gives pause to the Ada guys
recommending something they can't put on their test stand with hard data
points. I've attended the APS seminar and that's the reason they gave when
I brought this up in class (along with a few other attendees).
As for PRISM, when George Braly
says it's ready for prime time, you can take that to the bank. That system
will likely have more time in airplanes and on what is probably the most heavily
instrumented test stand available anywhere than anything similar that Klaus or
anyone else has ever put out there. It will also be
certifiable. In complexity, principle and operation, it will be far
superior to any FADEC system on the market now or on the drawing boards that I
know of. I like proven systems too, but PRISM has been flying for
quite some time now and is proving to be just as good as envisioned when George
came up with the concept. The main thing holding it up is the availability
of some of the mass produced components due to one particular
supplier.
I know of no more knowledgable engine
experts than the "Ada crew". George Braly and anyone he associates
himself with are eminently qualified to comment on any piston
powered power plant subjects discussed on the LML. I don't feel their
reluctance to support EI technology is because they don't think they work,
it's because they can't verify that they do everything they
advertise.
I'll keep happily flying with my LSE
until PRISM is available, but I'll also listen with great interest to anything
the "Ada crew" has to say in this forum.
Skip Slater
N540ES
|