RV8T

Andrew Griffin · #1 08-07-2006, 08:51 AM

I just saw this on the innodyn website. Thought people might be interested.

First Customer-Installed Aircraft Takes Flight

At approximately 0800 MDT on Friday, 4 August 2006, the first private-party aircraft with an Innodyn turbine lifted off and began flight operations in Colorado. The Van?s RV-8T is fitted with the Innodyn 205TE and a three bladed MT propeller. Images below show the aircraft prior to first flight. The owner?s comment was ?The turbine worked great, and we were up about 15 minutes and reached an altitude of about 9,000 ft.? Additional images, video, and comments from the builder/owner will be posted in the near future.

(posted: 08/04/06)

For more info and a picture visit:

http://www.innodyn.com/aviation/news...8_04_06_01.htm

TShort · #2 08-07-2006, 09:14 AM

Interesting.
I wish this guy was active on the internet - it would be nice to hear his thoughts "straight from the horses mouth"
Surely someone in CO has seen this thing??
Too bad there are no N numbers visible on the airplane...

Thomas

praterdj · #3 08-07-2006, 09:41 AM

Looks like the nose is out there a bit. Looks good but what does it do to the C.G.? Does the single pilot have to fly from the rear seat?

cjensen · #4 08-07-2006, 09:53 AM

The reason the nose is so long is that the thing only weighs 188 pounds. It has to be out there to get the CG correct. Less weigh needs a longer arm.

Somebody out there in CO needs to find this guy!

TShort · #5 08-07-2006, 10:43 AM

Bill .... where are ya buddy?

T.

fl-mike · #6 08-07-2006, 11:07 AM

That HAS to need more vertical fin area. That long nose must negatively affect directional stability. Dorsal or ventral fins?

rvpilot · #7 08-07-2006, 12:26 PM

It's really hard to beleive the first turbine powered RV8 flew Friday morning and, out of 4,000+ members and 5,000+ lurkers, nobody on this forum knows a thing about it other than the previously posted news blurb?! It flew for 15 minutes three days ago, a weekend has gone by, with no talk of other flights? Seems like someone ought to know something! Come on, lets hear it!! Inquiring minds want to know!

David Johnson · #8 08-07-2006, 12:59 PM

Hmmmm...if anyone knows where it is, I can probably make the approriate contacts in the closest EAA chapter and arrange to see this thing. I live just north of Denver. Have Cessna, will travel.

According to the Innodyn website, they have signed an LOA with Firewall Forward in Ft. Collins to provide a packaged installation kit with cowl, so perhaps this airplane is based there. Of course that also raises the question of the status of the agreement as FF goes through a reorganization.

Dave

pierre smith · #9 08-07-2006, 01:46 PM

Dave,
I spoke with a guy at Innodyn and he said that it was near Denver. He said performance was outstanding but that the NACA type inlet needs work (or a total redesign). It apparently doesn't allow enough airflow since that engine needs around 24 cu. ft/sec. (Not a typo).

My PT-6 powered Air Tractor (.com) has a huge scoop under the belly and two big Kenworth air filters for comparison. I think the Innodyn installation on the 8 needs a scoop close to the prop. Turbines are great big air hogs anyway,

frankh · #10 08-07-2006, 02:19 PM

Who cares how much air the thing breathes (unless its more than the combined cooling and combution air than for say an IO360...i.e more drag). The thing we all want to know is whats this thing going to guzzle in dollars per hour.

A question that Innodyn has ignored to this date as far as i am aware.

Lets find the owner

Frank

RV7a...sent off the inspection request today.