One to Watch

[Flyrod]

I attended the Sebring LSA fly in this past weekend and had the pleasure of meeting Tim Archer the past CEO of Superior engines and was very instrumental in bringing us the Superior XP engine. He has accepted the CEO position at Powerplant Developments and is promoting their Gemini opposed piston diesel engine. Mr. Archer has been an American aircraft engine executive for many years from Teledyne to Superior to Powerplant Developments. His experience is hard to match and his confidence in the Gemini engine speaks volumes.



This engine is a most interesting design. I once sailed aboard ships that used this design in generators sets made by Fairbanks. Its successful implementation as a diesel engine has been well documented. According to Mr. Archer, developments in metallurgy have allowed PD to lighten the engine to aircraft requirements.



This will be one to watch. Tim Archer may be involved in another home run. An aircraft engine that eliminates cam shafts, valve trains, mags and spark plugs, cylinder heads, and vapor lock certainly has my attention. They have over 2,500 hours between three operating engines thus far. These three engines are 100hp and only 15lbs heavier than the Rotax 912S, but stay tuned because the 200hp is in the works and all indications are it will be lighter and smaller than our lycomings!

[63scrounger]

I am encouraged by this development. I was sad to see Superior get bought out by Lycoming. Now to see this...It's good to see something good come of this.

[N661DJ]

I may be incorrect, however, I Understand, Lycoming purchased ONLY Superior's inventory, not the company. A good way to eliminate competition??
Dick

[Brantel]

Good way to pick up a company without the burden of assuming the liabilities and warranty claims!

Originally Posted by N661DJ

I may be incorrect, however, I Understand, Lycoming purchased ONLY Superior's inventory, not the company. A good way to eliminate competition??
Dick

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by Brantel

Good way to pick up a company without the burden of assuming the liabilities and warranty claims!

Which is how it should be....................since Lycoming didn't make the profit ( to cover expenses) on each unit previously sold.

L.Adamson

[Tony Spicer]

Originally Posted by Flyrod

These three engines are 100hp and only 15lbs heavier than the Rotax 912S, but stay tuned because the 200hp is in the works and all indications are it will be lighter and smaller than our lycomings!

More engine info here: http://www.ppdgemini.com/
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[breister]

Nice...

275hp @ 320lbs!

[rv9aviator]

I'm not sure the added super charger and or turbo charger plus liquid cooling may make the total moving parts count as much or more than a conventional engine. The fuel economy and lack of needing 100LL is definitely a big plus.

[rv8or]

Petrol engine combustion burn, i.e. (slowly) against diesel explosion (fast). Prop engine combinations would need to be well tested for harmonics. The age old method to dampen harmonics is to add mass or in the case of the Thiebert was a prop shaft damper.

just my tuppence worth

I do hope that they suceed

Rob
RV8 VERY slow build

[breister]

Originally Posted by rv8or

Petrol engine combustion burn, i.e. (slowly) against diesel explosion (fast). Prop engine combinations would need to be well tested for harmonics. The age old method to dampen harmonics is to add mass or in the case of the Thiebert was a prop shaft damper.

just my tuppence worth

I do hope that they suceed

Rob
RV8 VERY slow build

I believe the Gemini reduces this in two ways; one is because it is a two-stroke (twice as many power pulses) although that only makes the 2-cylinder act like a 4-cylinder 4 stroke, and because it is a geared engine (again increasing the total number of power pulses per prop revolution).

But you are right - a lot of testing will need to be done. Still, I can get excited about the power-to-weight ratio. Maybe by the time I need an overhaul these toys will be ready for prime time. I would love to shove 275 turbonormalized ponies in in place of the 170 normally aspirated ones I have now!