Rodger Hilyard wrote:

Lets give this discussion the real test...

 Does ANYONE have a Single Rotor modified from a Mazda auto
engine, powering a propeller through a reduction drive, that has
Flown more than 100 hours without drive line defect????

 Or 50 hours?

 Or 20 hours?

 Got off the test stand?

ANYONE??????

Yes. Dave Atkins has one sitting  in his shop last time I looked
and Paul Yaw built one up for Gerry Hess. I think Paul
Ross
has at least one at Alturdyne in a BD5 but I don't have his email
address yet.

Paul Yaw wrote:

I don't believe that Chris Ross has an e-mail address, but he is planning to
put a webpage together.  Gerry's plane has been sitting for quite some time.
Shortly after he got the engine, he installed it, and got it running, and
not much has happened since.

Gerry claims that it is "smooth as silk."  I haven't even heard it run.  The
balance is not a problem.  The only reason I can see for it to be rough
compared to a two rotor is the power pulses do not overlap.  There is a dead
spot about 90 degrees long.  It seems to me that once it is revved up a bit
it should smooth out just fine.

Chris Ross mentioned a spring plate failure at Alturdyne.  According to him
they were using an ultralight flywheel, and his contention is that a heavier
flywheel will smooth out the dead spot.  It makes sense to me.

You should ask Gerry since I have not experienced it myself.
gvh@mail.yellowknife.com

Paul Yaw

 
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