Paul,

Just writing to give my opinion of using a 13B instead of an "FAA

Certified"

engine for a homebuilt.

First of all, I am aware that there are design issues that have to be
addressed and in terms of Tracy Crook's success, I think those hurdles

are

very small.  My experience as a pilot goes back approx. 25 years.  In

that

time, I have had more engine problems in aircraft than in my

automobiles.

Another issue that has been a thorn in my side is the issuance of AD's
concerning engine problems.  Everyone is well aware of the Lycoming oil

pump

gear AD that came out a few years ago.  This AD came out just about a

year

after having our O-360 overhauled, which by the way, included new oil

pump

gears.  We had to have these parts replaced and the total cost of the

labor

and parts was paid by us.  Another plane we had at the time was a

Cherokee

140.  Again, maybe 2-3 years after having this engine overhauled,

INCLUDING

a new crankshaft, an AD was issued that made it necessary for us to have

the

engine torn down, again at our own expense and have the crankshaft

replaced.

What's a couple more thousand when you've already paid nearly ten for

the

overhaul.  THEN,(it continues) the FAA rescinded the AD for crankshafts

used

in our particular engine.  Did we get any reimbursement?  I'll give you

one

guess.  Obviously, safety is the main concern of the FAA.  It just eats

at

me to know that if a component is found to be defective is some way, the
owner is generally the one who has to pay for it.  It just seems odd

that if

there happens to be a recall on a particular type of car that was built

10

years ago, the current owners are notified and the automobile

manufacturer

replaces the part free of charge.  With the extremely high price of

aircraft

parts, I always thought that we were buying parts that were being sold

with

a guarantee that they met certain standards.  After all, wasn't that

part of

the issue that was used in an effort to reduce liability?

Anyway, for my (future) homebuilt, I'll stick with the 13B, an engine I

can

rely on.  Thanks.

Davd Kuc

David,
My sentiments .......
You would be a good guest speaker for my seminars.
Why people tolerate this is beyond my comprehension
when alternatives exist.
Even antiquated spam cans can benefit from engine
modernization.
Let the uneducated, or naive stick with the
 "FAA approved, certificated, high quality AC"
Archie the assassin.

I only agree to the rotary being better. I think the aircraft piston engine is better
than an auto piston engine although the Mercedes V12 sounds pretty good to me 
with its stock dual ignition and alloy block. Not likely to be cheap however.
I also don't know the weight for its 350 HP or so.

Paul Lamar

 
The AirCraft Rotary Engine NewsLetter.              Powered by Linux.

http://home.earthlink.net/~rotaryeng/            http://www.linux.org