|
Reliability: The Mazda rotary engine
reliability is way up there above any aircraft engine. Never had a burnt
or broken valve or a broken crankshaft ......and more... connecting rods,
pistons.....
Rino
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 6:51
PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Top 7 reasons for
using an auto conversion
Here's what I wrote.
I was asked to keep the comments short:
Top Seven Reasons to Consider an Automobile
Conversion
- Cost to install. When compared to the cost of a
new aircraft engine, a fully installed and properly functioning automobile
engine can run 25% to 50% of its certified counterpart when compared
new-to-new.
- Cost to rebuild. When rebuilding an auto
conversion, it can typically be brought to zero-time with all new parts for
what a used yellow-tagged aircraft crankshaft costs, that’s if your core is
serviceable.
- Cost to operate. Most auto conversions can be
operated on automobile fuel, cutting the per-gallon cost nearly in half.
Modern auto conversions have tight tolerances eliminating the need to add
oil between changes.
- Cost to maintain. Aircraft spark plugs range from
$26 to $60 each. Automobile plugs are one tenth of that and typically
require half as many. The same can be said for virtually every
maintenance item.
- Convenience. Nearly every part you might
need to repair or maintain your auto conversion can be purchased from any
number of suppliers in your home town, even on Sunday, or are a short drive
from what ever airport you might have landed at.
- Smoothness. Virtually every auto conversion is
noticeably smoother than its aviation counterpart, reducing fatigue on
components and occupants.
- Because you can. Why are we building an airplane
in the first place? If all you are after is the performance offered by
homebuilt aircraft, why not just buy one second hand? Most of us build
because we want to build. There’s a great amount of satisfaction that stems
from standing back and saying, “I built that.” The same applies for an
automobile engine conversion, especially if it’s never been done before.
And remember, there are a lot of experimental aircraft that
were designed (and proven) from the beginning to use an auto conversion, so
many of the points for a certified engine aren't relevant,
and many of the reasons against an auto conversion also apply to those who
would consider installing an aircraft powerplant where an auto
conversion is specified.
|