Jerry Hey wrote:

For those of you who did not notice, there is a very good introductory
article in Sport Aviation  by Paul Lamar about the growing  popularity
of the Mazda Rotary engine.   While this engine can be configured to
produce very large amounts of h.p., it is just about perfect for the
Tailwind in its STOCK configuration: that is if  you can live with 170
hp. This is real h.p. and not the inflated claims of Lycoming or
Continental.

    There are many rotary engine projects underway and a growing number
have flown.  Some   are starting to accumulate serious hours.   We have
one engine that was torn down after 1000 hrs and had virtually no
wear.   The engine has proven to be extremely reliable and  perfectly
suited to turning high sustained rpm.

The issues faced by any auto conversion are mainly the Prop Speed
Reduction Unit (PSRU) and cooling.   In the case of the rotary these
issues have been successfully  addressed. It is possible to buy a proven
PSRU.   Also available is a computer driven ignition and fuel
injection.  The controllers are dual in nature,  if one should fail,
just toggle to the other one.   There are two proven methods of mounting
radiators within the stock cowl and I am working on a fuselage
installation that I have great hopes for.  Of course,  in my case it is
just talk until the installation  is proven to work.

One really big headache is simply mounting the rotary engine.  The
automobile motor mount points are useless in an aircraft installation.
There are a couple of very good solutions out there.  Paul Lamar will be
developing rotary engine mount drawings for both the Tailwind TD and
Trike.    When these become available, I will manufacture them.

While you cannot buy all the components from one place, you will soon be
able to buy everything you need to complete a rotary installation in
the Tailwind. Off the shelf stuff that you bolt together.

Did I mention that the Rotary engine only has THREE moving parts.

It is a brave new world where the  vibration free engine will go hummmmm
and complete overhauls will cost about $2000.00!

Think about it.     Jerry

Looks good Jerry. Hope you don't get any arrows in your back :-)>

BTW we had a TailWind buzz SZP a week ago Sunday. Who could that have been?

I will work on the motor mount when I get back from Florida in a few days.
I just packed my water manometer in my carry on luggage.
Here I come Tracy :-)>

Paul Lamar
 
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