Wilksch WAM-120 flying in RV-9A

[Pilottonny]

Since additional Avgas Taxes are being proposed by the USA authorities , the discussions on the use of cheaper fuels for GA have now also started in the USA (see other threads on this forum). It looks like expensive Avgas is no longer a sole European problem anymore .

From the start of my project I have been looking at an alternative for Avgas and the Lycosaurus. My fuselage is now well on the way and I will have to start making decisions soon (what parts from the finish kit to leave out, what engine mount to order if any, where to install the fuel pump(s), CG-issues, etc.).

I have put the, very light and interesting Mogas alternative, 160 BHP Limbach Turbo engine (@ 3.000 RPM), in the fridge at this moment. The specified propeller (MT electric CS) is limited to 2.700 RPM, which reduces the max power output to 140 BHP. An other problem is that it runs anti clockwise. Therefore the rudder and engine offsets would have to be changed, causing all sorts of problems with fairings and cowl, etc .

My initial choice was the WAM160. But even after the reports of two flying RV's with WAM120 diesels, it has all gone quiet again in the Wilksch camp. I have e-mailed Kerry Ashcroft from Wilksch several times lately, but got no reply. Also the fact that I was "added to the lmailing ist" did not cause any messages to appear, nor did their web site change over the last 2 years. I did not see any performance data or heared anything about the WAM120 powered planes after the last post on this thread.

Has anybody got any news??

Regards, PilotTonny

[Dave_Boxall]

Tony

I am installing a WAM-120 in my RV-9a at the moment & hope to fly later this year I am in regualr contact with Wilksch, and although they have drawn back from production they are still supporting their initial customers.

Kerry Ashcroft has left Wilksch for a post in the Popular Flying Association's Engineering Team. Enquiries are probably best directed to Julie Robinson - Wilksch's office manager.

This post was on the UK RV squadron today http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rvsqn/ .


There has been a problem with the precombustion chambers which the company is trying to sort out. They are currently running the latest spec ones on the dyno. While this is being sorted they have only filled existing orders and will only progress work on the 160HP engine when this issue is resolved.

They are now talking about upping the power output of the 3 cylinger to 140HP and the 4 cylinder to 180HP when it is in production.

Our RV9 performs very well on the 120HP motor...... 350ft take off roll, 1200 fpm climb and 160 mph cruise.

I have forwarded your mail to Martin Long one of their designers who I am in contact with almost daily. People at the factory are hard to contact because they have scaled down temporarily but I will update you when I have more news.

[Pilottonny]

Dave,

Did they already supply your engine or will you receive a new one, ones the problem with the precombustion chambers has been solved?

So, now, after Mark Wilksch has left, also Terry Ashcroft has left the company? What might be the reason for that? I remember that Mark ones said he wanted to produce 1.000 engines a year in 2007 !

What would be the reason for upping the power output to 140 bhp instead of upping the TBO from 1000 hrs to 2000 hrs (as anticipated)? Or are they going to do both? OK, sure it would be nice to have the 140 bhp engine with the weight of the WAM120. I always thought that the WAM160 was a bit heavy and 140 bhp would be enough for the RV9 (especially with the turbo).

Anyway, if you already have your engine, can you post some pictures and let us know some more about how you are going to do the installation. Will the Vans engine mount fit, or will you have to make a new one? Are you going to modify the Vans cowling or make a complete new one? Are you also going to mount the Radiator up front (looks ugly!) or are you considering a different setup?

Regards, PilotTonny

[Dave_Boxall]

Tony

The precombustion chambers are simple to replace. A Wilksch engineer will come to me & replace them.

the post I sent you is the first I've heard about increasing the power output to 140 hp, but more is always better! The increase in TBO will be based on service experience (as it is with all new engines) so will take some time to come through.

I attach a picture of the rough plug on the fuselage. We are making a complete new cowl and are using the Wilksch cooling pack with the radiator up front. We don't think it looks ugly - but then I've never met a parent who tells me their child is ugly. More pictures here: www.andyelson.com/RV-9a.htm

sorry - I can't get this picture to post - you'll have to click the link!

[Pilottonny]

Dave,

I contacted Julie Robinson last week. She confirmed:

- Mark Wilksch has left Wilksch Airmotive, to go back to Australia to live with his family, although he is still a shareholder in the firm.
- Kerry Ashcroft has left Wilksch, but is still working for them on a free lance basis.
- The problem with the precombustion chamber is being solved at the moment and they will ship the parts to the customers, who have already received an engine, as soon as they have been produced.
- They will indeed up the power from 120 to 140 bhp and from 160 to 180 bhp for the newly produced engines. That is good news! The 140 will not be heavier than the 120 (maybe a slightly larger radiator), I always thought the WAM160 would be a bit heavy and bulky for the RV9.
- Production has stopped, she could not tell me when they will resume production, this depends on how quickly they will solve the problems with the precombustion chambers and also they are looking into implementing some more improvements, before they restart production.
- At the moment there have been 15 to 20 engines (WAM100 and WAM120) delivered to customers who are installing them in their planes, of which there is two flying.
For technical details and more info on delivery, FWF-kit, etc. she suggested to send an e-mail to Martin Long, which I did on 27/02/07. So far,... no reply. If I do not hear from him I will call again in a few days.

Regards, PilotTonny