Turboprop 10?

[sailvi767]

The J85 would quite if it sucked a leaf down the intake or the fuel control was not trimmed perfect and the throttle moved to fast at altitude. Overall I think however you will find the mean time between failures much much better for turbines. 18gph at cruise does not sound good enough However to make this viable. Turbines really need a pressurized aircraft that can get high and go fast.

George

[jdearborn]

The Vne of the RV10 is for its current structure. It can be be reengineered and the Vne can be increased. I'm doubtful Van will do it, but it can be done. It can also be pressurized. It is all about money and desire.

Originally Posted by MossieJim

The Vne of the RV10 is for its current structure. It can be be reengineered and the Vne can be increased. I'm doubtful Van will do it, but it can be done. It can also be pressurized. It is all about money and desire.

That's correct, you can do anything if you throw enough money at it or you could just buy a lancair.

[rocketman1988]

"...So much for the vaunted turbine engine reliability..."

Ok. So let's compare stats, shall we? Why not look at all of the piston engine failures with respect to total time in operation versus turbine engine failures with respect to their total time in operation...

Oh, and as for the other post about re-engineering the -10 for a turboprop and pressurization. Yes, it can be done, but as a previous post said, you could just buy the Lancair instead...

[N427EF]

For a meaningful comparison you would have to take into account the number of turn on and shut downs, something turbines don't like very much or at least significantly reduces their time between overhaul.
The vast number of hours on turbines are accumulated on long flights where most piston engines are accumulating time literally by the hour, sometimes with continuous inputs from the pilot as in training.
I am guessing here, but most of us probably fly an hour at the time give or take, with friends for lunch or sightseeing and return.
I can't see climbing up to 18000 feet for an hour flight and start a let down just about the time you get comfortable looking at your turbine fuel burn and it's time to let down.
I am sure a handful of people would have the means to invest in such a venture but for most of us the Lycoming will be cheapest and best option for a long time to come.
As to the fuel argument, Lycomings run happily on mogas, available everywhere in the world even when jet fuel is not available.

[chrispratt]

I may have missed any mention of this, so apologies if I did. But there is a new Rolls-Royce RR300 turboprop/turboshaft engine out. It is currently used on the Robinson R66 helicopter but it has fixed wing applications also. I have no idea of the cost or if Rolls makes it available to the E-AB market. Its power output is around 240 hp equivalent. Based on the M250 of which about 30,000+ have been built, it should be pretty reliable. Might make an interesting install on RV10.

Chris

[rocketman1988]

Yeah that would be cool but with a SFC of .675lb/hp/hr you would have to carry a ton of gas...

That would be after you pony up $100K or more for the engine and prop...

[JDRhodes]

Originally Posted by rocketman1988

Yeah that would be cool but with a SFC of .675lb/hp/hr you would have to carry a ton of gas...

That would be after you pony up $100K or more for the engine and prop...

I'm not sure $100K would touch it. You might buy one for $100K out of an old wrecked helicopter.

[rocketman1988]

Yeah, I did a little checking and they were more like $150K...just for the engine...

[jcaplins]

Just thinking out loud.... In the spirit of experimentation.

I wonder how a small jet turbine would work to supplement an electric aircraft?
The folks at Jag and ladrover are (were?) working on a small turbine for and electric car. Example of engine here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFnZJeHc-KY

I have also seen an old video (and for the life of me I can not find it) of a gentleman who build a jet turbine for an RC plane in his garage. And not one of those crappy beer can turbines or those things that use a car turbo. This guy even made his own banjo fittings and bearings on his lathe. It was impressive.

I would think someone could scale one up and build it in their garage for way less than the $150K of a production jet engine.

And now with much lighter batteries available today...go the RC engine / charger / electric motor /batteries route.