Tracy Crook wrote:

"There is little to be gained by advancing beyond 22 BTDC"?!?  Are

certified

aircraft engine engineers really this stupid??  I know they are at the

bottom

of their engineering classes (OTW they'd be making real money with real
companies) but geez.  Unfortunately, their expertize is in generating
certification reports -- not in engines.

Long live LSE and Electorair.  Digital electronic ignitions for

homebuilders

in the $1K range.  They advance well beyond 22 BTDC under appropriate
circumstances (low MAPs) and, at altitude, there is much to be gained.

Absent the ignition advance, there is little to no advantage in this

system,

other than (theoretically) a bit less maintenance.

In reality, I suspect that the FAA doesn't understand ignition advance

(those

lovable, bungling beaurocrats) and wouldn't allow Continental to do it.
"Little to be gained" is just putting a best face on their delimna,

which

will be taken at face value by most of the ignorant GA public.

Hornet Ball

Absolutely true.  This is typical of the many holes in the information
regarding this (and other) "FADEC" systems.  That fancy description of their
fuel injector is exactly what is already in use in millions of cars.  (a
pintle is the term for the magneticly actuated fuel control needle in the
injector).

 Another thing I'd like them to explain is how they determine whether the
pilot wants economy cruise at altitude or best power (to climb over an
aproaching mountain or weather).  The throttle is in the same position (wide
open) for both cases.  The only difference is mixture control.  If it is a
single lever power control, how the hell does the controller know what the
pilot wants?  I asked this question to the people at PowerSport (who also
use a pseudo FADEC system).  They couldn't give me an answer then but
promised to get it for me.  I'm still waiting.

Tracy Crook
rws@altavista.net
www.rotaryaviation.com

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