For many years now, the majority of modern automobile engines have had computer-controlled ignition and fuel injection. The benefits are many: easier starts, smoother running, better performance, better fuel efficiency, better reliability, and built-in self-monitoring and diagnostics. In the aerospace world, this same technology is known as FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control), and offers all the same benefits as it does in a car, plus it reduces pilot workload by eliminating that ugly red mixture knob. The drawbacks are few. Mainly, FADEC does make the engine electrically-dependent, so electrical system redundancy is required. But electrical system redundancy is becoming commonplace anyhow as glass cockpit technology becomes pervasive, so these technologies go together nicely. Also, FADEC is still more expensive than traditional ignition and fuel injection to install, but the initial cost is offset by reduced operating costs: fuel and maintenance.
There have been FADEC products for Lycoming-style engines available to us for some time, but it seems that only a few of us have adopted the technology in our RV's. I have been planning on installing a FADEC in my RV-7A, but sadly, one of the most promising FADEC systems that I've been interested in is as of recently no longer being offered to us by the manufacturer, reportedly due to lack of demand. I would think that we RV builders should be a big potential market for this technology, and yet so far we haven't embraced it. I'm very curious to know exactly why, so I present the following poll to the group:
Hypothetically, if you were selecting your engine right now and weighing your options, would you consider FADEC?
1. Never! I learned to fly with magnetos and a carburetor or mechanical fuel injection, and I'll never trust anything else.
2. Probably not. I've warmed up to the idea of electronic ignition, but electronic fuel injection in an airplane still gives me the heebee-jeebies.
3. Maybe some day. I could appreciate the benefits, but I'd want to see more of them flying before I'd take the plunge myself.
4. Maybe if the price is right. I could appreciate the benefits, but it needs to come down in initial cost for me to consider it.
5. Heck yeah, give me! I definitely appreciate the benefits, and I'm willing to pay a premium for it. I know it'll save me money in the long run.
6. Other. What did I miss?
There have been FADEC products for Lycoming-style engines available to us for some time, but it seems that only a few of us have adopted the technology in our RV's. I have been planning on installing a FADEC in my RV-7A, but sadly, one of the most promising FADEC systems that I've been interested in is as of recently no longer being offered to us by the manufacturer, reportedly due to lack of demand. I would think that we RV builders should be a big potential market for this technology, and yet so far we haven't embraced it. I'm very curious to know exactly why, so I present the following poll to the group:
Hypothetically, if you were selecting your engine right now and weighing your options, would you consider FADEC?
1. Never! I learned to fly with magnetos and a carburetor or mechanical fuel injection, and I'll never trust anything else.
2. Probably not. I've warmed up to the idea of electronic ignition, but electronic fuel injection in an airplane still gives me the heebee-jeebies.
3. Maybe some day. I could appreciate the benefits, but I'd want to see more of them flying before I'd take the plunge myself.
4. Maybe if the price is right. I could appreciate the benefits, but it needs to come down in initial cost for me to consider it.
5. Heck yeah, give me! I definitely appreciate the benefits, and I'm willing to pay a premium for it. I know it'll save me money in the long run.
6. Other. What did I miss?