I can`t claim to speak for the Factory on this issue, but hope they won`t
mind this "press leak".
The BMW R1100 engine has now completed 102 hours running in a test rig.All
running has been at various "flight" loads and the last 52 hours have been
completely trouble free. In fact the last 86 hours have been free of major
problems and the engine itself has performed flawlessly.
Of note has been the remarkable temperature stability of the engine with no
hint of overheating even on high ambient days and with only free air
cooling (ie propwash only with no ducting). The longest single run was for
about 6 hours at "fast cruise" loads and a fuel burn of about 3.25 imp.gph;
this figure is not easily comparable with, say, the 912 because of
unquantifiable influences of the static runs. However, the (motor) industry
accepted difference between carburettors and multi point fuel injection is
that the latter is normally 15% more efficient.
These test results have been reported to the PFA who have verbally agreed
for testing to proceed to the next stage which will be mounting in an
airframe and test flying. Stressing of the engine mount is required before
this.
Accordingly, a major milestone has been reached and the programme is still
very much alive.
Duncan McFadyean
|