Hello all,
With the Europa's top speed way up at 350Kts, is there anything preventing
the installation of a small turbo-prop--besides cost?
I heard someone in the U.S. put one in a Lancair to stunning effect, and I
believe they've survived the experience. Just think what it would do to the
takeoff run. Might not compare to a JATO, but it'd certainly stun a crowd.
Actually, there is a serious question in here. Just what does prevent the
development of a small turbine? My guess is that the smaller fan diameter
would make casting the blades much cheaper (less stresses through
centripetal force, etc.), but then, my concept of a turbine is limited to
Encarta animations, and I'm always stunned when I see all the tubes that
wrap around a real one.
Still, it must be possible to make one from fewer parts than a fuel-injected
912, especially if the blades and their rotor could be cast as one piece.
Am I displaying unblievable ignorance here?
Regards,
Stephen.
--
Stephen O'Brien
Quorum Creative
Australia
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