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Well it appears that this year might be
the start of a new/recycled - influx of engines into our market place. Car engine
conversions have been around for some time now but their power to weight ratio -
eliminates them from most of our applications. Some designers to get around that have
"cut engines in half" - the Hummel Bird for example uses a half Volkswagen
engine.
Another engine that has been used
extensively in aircraft application, is the Subaru line - and Aerotek Performance
products of Lethbridge Alberta has taken the "half Volkswagen concept" and
applied it to two Subaru engines. The engines based on the Subaru EA 82 - minus two
cylinders is 900 cc and comes in 45 and 60 hp. It also comes with direct fire ignition -
which in automotive land means distributorless ignition.
Weight for either the horizontal or
upright configuration comes in at 125 lbs. compete with a 2.1 to 1 belt reduction
drive. TB0 is expected to come in at 1200 hours, this is bases on over 18
years of engine experience - by Aerotek including supplying engines to Canada's largest
rotor craft builder RAF.
For more information contact Aerotek
Performance Products 719 - 29th St. North Lethbridge Alberta Canada 403-380-4500
Another 4 stroke car conversion is the
GEO engine. This year Raven Re-Drives of Boulder Colorado is offering complete engine and
redrive packages for the 65 hp 1000 RS and 80 HP 1300 GS. For more information contact
Raven Re Drives 1025 Rosewood Avenue Boulder CO 90304 - 303-440-6234.
While not new to the market the Jabiru
line of 4 stroke aircraft eng ines is also eating away at the Rotax 912
market. The Titan Aircraft factory is now offering the 4 cylinder 80 HP Jabiru 2200 engine
as an option on their planes. The aircraft is manufactured and has been certified in
Australia under their very stringent program. The engine is also offered in a 120 hp model
for more information contact Tiger Aviation 134 Cessna Dr. Trenton SC 29847 - 803-663-6200
HKS-This is an engine that I have seen a
lot written about, but with missing Oshkosh last year I missed it actually installed and
flying on a plane. The people from Flightstar introduced it on to their planes last year
and now distribute in North America. The engine produced by HKS in Japan, was
developed for aircraft use. It is a twin cylinder 4 stroke opposed engine putting out 60
HP. According to Tom Peghiny 10 manufacturers are now offering it on their craft. 
At Sun N Fun the Chinook Plus 11,
Flightstar, Hornet, Odyssey, Air Bike and Tornado were flying on it. Two trike
manufacturers Sabre and Aero trike, as well as the High Flyer powered parachute could be
seen flying the circuit under its power.
I didn't get a chance to fly on anything
powered by the HKS but did see if fly on craft that would normally be powered by the 503
Dual carb Rotax or the 582. My opinion is that the 60 hp performs better than the 503 but
not as good as the 582. According to the folks from Earth Star, who flew one in from
California, the engine is quieter, smoother and uses about 1/3 less fuel than the 503
Rotax. Warranty is reported to be 1 year, with TB0 time currently pegged at 500 hours.
This is expected to increase once time and experience have been put on the engine.
For
more information Hpower Ltd. PO Box 690 Ellington CT 06029 - 860-875-8185
Last year a company showed up at
Lakeland with the Verner SVS 1400, two cylinder four stroke engine, manufactured in the
Czech Republic. The 80 HP engine uses a belt drive system and is air cooled. Last
year I reported that there were abou t
40 aircraft flying world wide on the engine. With these aircraft accumulating time on them
the engine design has been refined. The engine now comes with larger cooling fins on the
cylinders and heads, and is using a cog belt reduction drive. The TBO time on the engine
has been increased to 1,000 hours. For more information contact
Gyro Inc. Box 82752
Portland Or 97282 - 503-233-6848.
Two other companies that had something
to do with engines were Ceramic Coatings and R & D Aerosports.
R & D claims you can pull up to 20%
more power out of a Rotax engine by changing to their exhaust. I would have to agree with
them, after seeing the Explorer powered parachute flying on floats, with two people on
board using their exhaust. Not only does it give you more power but t is also quieter!
Up to 7 decibels quieter and 1.5 lbs lighter. For more information contact R &
D Aerosports 7701 Schofield Ave. Dept UF Schofield WI 54478 - 715-355-0536.
Power Max ceramic coatings offer a
protection system for your exhaust components. You send them your exhaust right off your plane ( in good working
condition) and they process it with their system. The improvement in appearance is amazing
and according to them it protects and extends component life. It can also withstand
temperature up to 1300 degrees F. The coating is available in several Colours including
Ultra Chrome, Satin silver and semi gloss black. Turn around time is about 10 days. For
more info contact 330-484-6898.
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