tomjaharis
I'm New Here
Are there any RV6-A's or RV-6's flying with Belted Air Power PSRU's and GM V-6 engines?
I've talked to a couple who just fly them. Sadly, they don't post here as they usually get slammed by someone who thinks they should have installed a Lycoming instead...
I have a coworker that flies an RV-6 with the GM V-6 and Belted Air combination. As Ross observed, he told me he quit using VAF years ago because of the attacks for doing something different. Sadly, the VAF community will never learn anything from his experience that may advance our EAB knowledge base. For some of us, different is OK because this is an adventure in learning and technology, resale value is irrelevant to the cause.
John Salak
RV-12 N896HS
I don’t even know what questions to ask at this point because I just purchased the project and haven’t even unloaded it all from the trailer.
See question above and I'll add my only two cents. I try and stay out of these.
If someone is considering an alternative engine to save money (during build, maintenance, fuel economics, etc.), I'll respectfully state that's probably the worst reason to attempt such.
Even still, the OP should determine his own path.
What did you buy Tom?
But some of us have saved money going this route. I've got dozens of auto engined customers who certainly fly for far less per hour than those who plunked down big coin for a Lyc off the bat. Remember you can invest that money saved and earn more with it.
I also have dozens of customers who should have never gone down this road. It was a financial disaster for them.
Can't paint all auto conversions with the same brush. It ain't wide enough...
Tom,Hi John,
Thanks for the response.
It would really be nice to talk to your friend to find out how his experience with the V6 has worked out for him.
I don’t even know what questions to ask at this point because I just purchased the project and haven’t even unloaded it all from the trailer.
Please feel free to give him my name and phone number and maybe we can talk and he can help me understand the best way to proceed.
Tom
Cell 530-515-6001
Hi John,
Thanks for the response.
It would really be nice to talk to your friend to find out how his experience with the V6 has worked out for him.
I don’t even know what questions to ask at this point because I just purchased the project and haven’t even unloaded it all from the trailer.
Please feel free to give him my name and phone number and maybe we can talk and he can help me understand the best way to proceed.
Tom
Cell 530-515-6001
I would love to talk to Jess.
At this point, I am still traveling, pulling the trailer containing the project back to Hemet, California where I plan on completing the project.
The project included The Belted Air Drive unit and a GM V-6 engine along with the proper engine mount, radiator, cowling and associated accessories that are designed to fit on the project RV6A.
I would also really like to talk to anyone else that has actual experience with the Belted Air Power unit on an RV. It has been discouraging seeing responses on this forum from people with no actual experience with this equipment who feel comfortable giving completely unfounded opinions that don't in ant way enhance our knowledge base.
These are experimental aircraft and should be built with the spirit of enhancing progress in aviation, not finding a cheap way to build an airplane instead of buying an expensive factory built airplane.
I have worked on 100's of Lycoming and Continental engines over the course of my 45 years of aviation experience and except for some metallurgical enhancements and a few little do-dads that have been added to ignition or induction systems, they are still 1930-1940 technology.
Then you have the zillions of dollars that the automotive industry has put into developing safe, reliable, economical, fuel efficient engines that MIGHT also enhance our enjoyment of the activity we love.
I think it is worth a try to see if this technology is useful and encourage anyone with information that could help me figure this out to comment or contact me directly.
Tom Jaharis
Cell 530-515-6001
[email protected]