RV-8 Turbine update - Page 5

rv6ejguy · #41 01-13-2007, 08:45 PM

The cool factor is about the only tangible reason reason for turbine power on an RV airframe. The fuel flow is killer and the Vne is pretty low for high altitude work. If we talk about a 200hp sea level turbine though, it wouldn't be much faster than a IO-360 up high at it suffers a fairly significant power loss with altitude. If it was flat rated to 200 hp at 15,000 feet or so, then you'd have a big problem.

I have friends with turbine powered homebuilts. Impressive sounding and the climb performance is astounding on one at 11,000 fpm (1000SHP Garrett) but the fuel flow is staggering below 15,000. The turbine IVPs are the best way to go as they are pressurized and fast. Sucking on O2 up high is not a nice way to spend a day and ATC does not really want 200 knot airplanes up at 25,000-30,000 feet. Another guy has a turbine Rotorway. Way cool but short trips.

A low cost turbine will likely burn about twice as much fuel for the same speed as a reciprocating engine at low altitudes so unless you are rich and just love that sound, it is probably not practical for most people.

If you are a mad scientist, I don't want to discourage you from experimenting. Try this: http://www.nyethermodynamics.com/nt5/index.html

On the other hand here is some discussion on similar subjects: http://www.provide.net/~pratt1/ambuilt/turbine.htm

I'm sticking with my turbocharged piston engines for now, they sound pretty cool at idle and wound up tight with that turbine whistle (open exhaust). That will have to do for now. 10-15 gal./hr. is all I can stand.

gmcjetpilot · #42 03-31-2007, 11:13 PM

Bump?

Whats Happening. Any word, update? Innodyn news was last up dated 5 months ago on 10/27/06?

cjensen · #43 04-01-2007, 07:43 AM

George,

I've been wondering the same thing, and have tried to call and email NUMEROUS times since the first of the year with zero response. I'm wondering if anyone is home???

Air UPSer · #44 08-28-2007, 07:11 AM

Summer Bump

N395V · #45 08-28-2007, 12:08 PM

The last post on the Innodyn website relative to the RV8 was 10/27/06.

The last update to their website was 4/12/07.

Nomex Maximus · #46 08-28-2007, 02:03 PM

Sounds like something my uncle would run. He was from his teenage years a mad engineer. He had all sorts of weird stuff in his basement lab - radios, radars, etc. He once designed his own version of an internal combustion engine and was on the verge of getting a patent when the search found something similar had been done years before. And then there was the piston engine he built completely from raw metal just to show he could do it. His garage had all sorts of Volkswagon vehicles and engines in various stages of reconstruction. And then he had his own X-ray machine that he used to examine engine parts for cracks... I can just imagine Innodyn being something like my uncle's garage, with an almost working turbine engine sitting on the floor off in the corner next to a pile of shop rags with him saying that he was going to get back to it someday...

gmcjetpilot · #47 10-15-2007, 02:03 AM

PING, Whats Happening?

Jim Benson · #48 01-04-2008, 01:04 AM

I was doing a google search on my name and found this thread. I had no idea there has been so much talk going on about my plane, RV-8T N333JB, albeit a year ago.

Here is the latest: The plane last flew in Dec. 06, it has a total of 8 flights. The test pilot and I were doing a ground test on the FADEC system and overheated the engine slightly. Innodyn said to send the engine back so they could look at it. So I FedEx'd back and have not seen the engine since. The inventor said he has rebuilt it and all is good but refuses to send it back. I would even pay for shipping. There is turmoil in the company as to who owns what and how things are going to be run.

I am hoping in the near future things can be worked out so I can get my engine back and we can resume flying and testing.

So we have started to build another RV-8. We are putting an IO-360 on it from Aero Sport Performance out of Kamloops, Canada. This one will also hae the Fast Back conversion. Should be flying in the next month or so. Meanwhile, the other plane sits in the hangar collecting dust.

I am going to give Innodyn this year to get everything worked out. If not we will put a piston on the thing and fly it.

I am bad about coming here to look to see what is going on. I have checked off to send me email notification when some one posts to this thread.

jim benson