Le 19/07/2017 12:37, graemeh a crit :
> I realise that installing an alternative engine will be more work and take
> more
time. My challenge is to assess the extra build time vs how long it would
take me to save for the Rotax and also add in a risk factor to allow for the
extra
risk in going for an alternative engine.
>
> [...]
> Thanks again for all who have contributed and I'd appreciate hearing further
---From anyone with direct experience in using alternative engines (on a Europa
or
other aircraft).
Graeme and all,
As one who made an alternative engine *installation* albeit with a
proven engine, I hope you'll allow me to express my opinion ;-)
Devising a correct engine installation from scratch is not really the
problem. It takes time, research an lots of common sense, you'll find
lots of info on Contrails !
The problem is with those alternative engines. The best way would be to
interview several knowledgeable people with direct experience of a
working installation, and a few hundred (preferably thousand) happy
engine flight hours in their logbook.
But if those people did exist, then we would not be talking about an
*alternative* engine, but about a *proven* engine.
Bottom line, if you have time and money, and are eager to help develop
the engine, by all means go for it. You'll be a pioneer, have lots of
fun, learn lots of things, and discover there is no substitute for
thousands of engineer hours, test cell time, destroyed engines, and
thousands of flight hours before you achieve a reliable aero engine.
But don't trust the degree on the wall, the videos and the "we addressed
the torsional" blah blah. Ask for the blueprints, the actual number of
engines actually flying, the address of actual users atctually flying
the engine, study the Service Bulletins - if there are none, caveat
emptor, the engine has no flight experience.
On the other hand, if money, or time, or workshop equipment is key, then
go for a Rotax (even a second hand one), devise a correct cooling
installation, and you'll soon be a member of the happy flyer-builder family.
FWIW
--
Best regards,
Gilles
http://contrails.free.fr
http://lapierre.skunkworks.free.fr
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