Engine prop combo

[paul330]

Originally Posted by johngoodman

If you haven't even ordered a tail kit yet, don't even think about the engine and prop yet. By the time you are thinking about a fuselage kit, the engine choices might be very different.

John

If the TMA/Continental/Chinese 230hp diesel was available to the experimental market, I would jump at it. There is also an interesting water-cooled, mogas, fadec engine from Adeptair in South Africa still under development.

I have just taken delivery of a IO540 D4A5 from Aerosport I am matching it to a MT 3-blade. It costs a couple of knots but looks cool and is, by all accounts, smoother. There is the new Hartzell 3-blade but it makes the MT look cheap!

I can't see any reason to put in more than 260hp. If you need the power to get out of a strip, you are going to have trouble getting back in.

[Azemon]

Thanks for all the feedback. As I suspected, you are a great group of folks. I am just happy to be here Chief.

[pierre smith]

Andy, build it stock and you'll save time and money. It's an incredible family hauler and will easily take four grown men and baggage, whereas a lot of the 'other' four place airplanes will be overloaded unless you just have kids in the back.

It will run over 200 MPH if you don't mind the fuel burn..around 15 1/2 GPH or loiter at 170 MPH around 10 1/2 GPH...I've done both.

The more I fly mine, the more in love with her I become

Best,

[aerhed]

Agree with Pierre. If you are an engine guy there's no reason not to start chipping away on your powerplant build. It will take you awhile to figure out what's what and when you get the engine complete it is a liquid asset (if done right). An engine sure takes up less room than an airframe and by taking your time you may save large bucks on parts. There's lots of "marginal" airframes that fly okay, but the ones with "marginal" engines don't stay up for long.

[Azemon]

You guys are the best. This is the most supportive group I have ever had the pleasure to be involved with. I have to give a shout out to Jake McInnes at Performanceengines.com, the Lycoming specialists, for his quick and response to my request for custom engine building info. I hope they will be a new VAF advertiser soon. Too everyone a huge THANKS for your input.

AJ