This Engine Will End Alternative Engine Dreaming

[David-aviator]

Some of you may not know about what Lycoming is up to these days. The iE engine was flown to OSH in a Legacy and is for real.

http://www.lycoming.com/news-and-eve...iE2_Engine.pdf

When it hits the market, there is no reason to pursue an auto engine conversion. It will meet most objectives of going that route plus NO PSRU, plus a basic engine that has been proven.

Its development, I believe, is being driven by a realization that 100LL is on life support. Lycoming does not want to be in the hinterland when the government pulls the final plug on lead in this country. And that day is coming.

These engines are not being developed from unknown technology. All they are doing is borrowing what has been working very well for some time in the auto world and making an already great engine even greater.

[the_other_dougreeves]

Very interesting. FADEC, looks like FI with individual cylinder fuel control, ECU-controlled mixture control, knock sensors, variable ignition timing, turbo boost control, elctronic ignition.... very promising! Good for Lyc (and us!) that they're pushing forward.

And although I don't want to knock (hahaha) progress, I'm about to go enjoy all of these technologies in my 2000 Audi.

TODR

[rocketbob]

When you find out what the price tag is, the novelty will quickly wear off.

I have a very simple philosophy on anything that goes in our aircraft: if its an improvement that simplifies or improves over existing technology, at a price equal to or less than what's currently available, I'm all for it. Otherwise its vapor. Just my $.02.

[Danny7]

Originally Posted by rocketbob

When you find out what the price tag is, the novelty will quickly wear off.

I have a very simple philosophy on anything that goes in our aircraft: if its an improvement that simplifies or improves over existing technology, at a price equal to or less than what's currently available, I'm all for it. Otherwise its vapor. Just my $.02.

I'm with Bob on this one- all those "improvements" are going to drive up the price.

I'll bet people will be just as likely to want an alternative engine just for the chance to buy it for less than 10,000 and add on/ buy parts as you go.

[LifeofReiley]

Yeah... when and where will you ever get the parts to finish... many have been down that road. SB this and AD that

[rv9av8tr]

All things computer driven should be viewed with a skeptical eye. Computer controlled doesn't mean simpler.... especially when it comes to the ONE thing that allows airplanes to defy gravity!!

[flion]

I looked the engine over at OSH this year. Apart from price, there is reason to believe it will never be easily suitable for an RV. Imagine the cowling and engine mount changes to accommodate the supercharger. It sticks out to the side and takes up real estate at the back. And then there is the control module, which will have to live on one side or another of the firewall (the example I saw did not have a long cable run). That thing was bulky and not easy to place. I know I'm being a naysayer but I think that this is not the FADEC we'll see in an RV; I expect that if this works out eventually there will be a scaled-down version without the supercharger and with a more refined (read 'smaller') control unit that will be easier to place in a small aircraft. Looked real pretty, though, just like any other new, unused engine...

[Mike S]

Looks like something Ross Farnham would have done if he was designing an airplane engine from scratch.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by rv9av8tr

All things computer driven should be viewed with a skeptical eye. Computer controlled doesn't mean simpler.... especially when it comes to the ONE thing that allows airplanes to defy gravity!!

The "computer" part shouldn't be a problem. They'll just use "Vista".

[aviationgeek84]

Out of curiousity (and perhaps ignorance), how would all of the automatic control functionality on this engine change aerobatic flying conderations?

No change? Easier management? Or is more control better?