The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!
I spent 45 minutes speaking with the lead engineer on this project. It is longer than a standard Slick mag, by 1/2", he said. He also said that he assembled the prototype that was on display on Thursday, before the show. As he wasn't sure how everything was going to fit, he had the case built bigger than required to assure that it would all fit.
Seems Champion recommends IRAN @500hrs increments , rebuild/replace at 2000hrs. Seems this new product you toss and replace @2000hrs. Set n forget it ? If waay less expensive good, but I doubt it. Savings in time doing 3 IRAN ….
Since Champion is the manufacturer, they will want you to use aviation plugs. IF you want to use automotive plugs, you will need to go to G3i and buy their auto plug kit so that you can run auto plugs. Their kit also lets you run auto plugs on conventional Bendix or Slick mags.
E-mag needs to watch out for this product. If their design targets hold up ( 100 rpm ). It will impact their sales
"to use this new magneto instead"
?? What are you saying? Didn't follow.....
Give it time before getting too excited about a brand new engine accessory that is basically in prototype.
Yes, concur. Thanks.
Wonder how they supply energy for engine start? I do not like the complications added by impulse couplings
Or even longer. Considering that this product currently exists only as a prototype, their claims read more like propaganda, than facts. When the product does come to market, early adopters may well regret their purchase. When have you even seen a new certified or PMAed product from a large aviation corporation be price competitive??? Not very often.
Remember when Pmag first came out, you were basically a test pilot with plenty of early issues.
YES we were!
Hopefully with pockets as deep as Champion (as compared to EMag), the growing pains should be short(er).
Ask the people that flew with the early Unison LASAR systems. Champion purchased Unison and now markets the SLICK mags that were designed by Unison. They worked most of the time but some people had issues. Many of the engineers that worked for Unison that I knew continued the same work for Champion.
And that shortened development time will most likely be reflected in a higher price.
I'm an outlier here on VAF in that price is the least important consideration for me.
In that case, enjoy your new ignition system when it becomes available. Let us all know how you like it.
Since reliability and safety are more important to me than price, I won't be an early adopter.
I talked to the engineer, he said it is longer but about the same length as impulse mag with adapter.
Did the Champion engineer say anything about when the Lightning might be available?
Targeting this time next year
did they make it?
They didn’t say anything about it at Sun-N-Fun so I’m hoping they release at OSH. I have 200 hrs on my Slicks which puts me maybe 2 years out before replacements. Good amount of time to see how they fair in the real world before needing them.
