Dave Leonard (hope VP4SkyDoc is you!),
I'm building an RV-6 and have been planning to use an RX-7 13B engine.
I've
saved the Mazda webpage info on the new RX-8 engine.
Perhaps you could look for opportunities to delve into the following
("nothing ventured, nothing gained"):
1) see if they will give you a diskette with CAD drawings or simply a paper
drawing of engine showing external dimensions so we can evaluate space in
the cowling, with and without accessories shown in place;
2) CAD or paper drawing showing transmission attach points (to see if we
can use Tracy Crook's PSRU "as is" or if a V2 of his PSRU will be needed to
interface with the new rotary engine;
3) Do they have any English language technical reports or studies they can
provide to us home builders, such as torque vs RPM charts, dyno test
reports, fuel consumption at cruising RPMs as well as full power studies;
4) Do they have 1 or more worn out engines (that match production
configuration) that are now scrap that they'd sell & ship to me &/or Tracy
for integration evaluation/planning? A low mileage test article that is in
good condition that they've used and pulled and won't use in a production
car?
5) Does anyone there know, or want to know, that their rotary engines are
highly esteemed for use in aircraft and high speed boats, and want to
assist/encourage that use?
6) If so, or if not, is there an address, phone number, and/or e-mail of an
English speaker inside the engine area that we can direct questions to?
Hope you have a great tour!
David Carter
Nederland, Texas
409-722-7259
David,
This is a great list of info that I can try to get from them. I cant imagine
they will be very receptive to giving me CAD drawings, but you are right that
it doesn't hurt to try. I will see what I can do.
Here is a copy of the e-mail I sent to get the tour in the first place. I
hope you will agree that it illustrates our plight.
Subj: Rotary Aviation in Iwakuni
Date: 2/13/2002
To:
Mr. ****,
Hello, my name is David Leonard. I am a Flight Surgeon at the Iwakuni USMC
clinic and I work with Dr. Lee, he gave me your e-mail address. We were all
very glad to hear that your daughter is doing well. I am writing because I
am also a rotary engine fanatic. (I hope you are not rolling your eyes :-)
For the last several years I have been building an airplane in my garage and
I plan to use a 2nd generation 13B engine to power by baby. Not just because
this engine is a fraction of the cost of an aircraft engine but because it is
a much better engine for aircraft uses.
You may not be aware, but there is a growing contingent of people who feel
the rotary engine will one day be the predominant aircraft engine. Already
about 25 aircraft are flying with Mazda rotary engines, and over 100 more
projects planning rotary engines are being built across the US. And I'm not
talking about little ultra lights either, many of these aircraft have taken
years to build and are worth more than $100,000. I maintain a roster of
those putting rotarys in aircraft:
http://hometown.aol.com/rotaryroster
for the leader in rotary conversion for aircraft use, see:
www.rotaryaviation.com
For a few years now we have been trying to get more support from the factory.
Distributors and deals will not sell us parts or engines if they know it is
to be used in an aircraft. My guess is that this is because of liability
concerns, but there is no need for liability to be a significant issue.
Current tort reform very effectively protects parts suppliers to amateur
built aircraft.
The numbers of experimental, amateur built aircraft are also growing rapidly.
A few years ago experimental kit sales surpassed certified aircraft sales,
and the gap is widening. However, the size of the aviation market will never
be large enough to significantly affect sales for Ford/Mazda directly.
However, it has to be great publisity for the rotary engine that so many
people are willing to stake their lives and investments on it. How about an
auto show where a formation of sleek experimental aircraft fly overhead, all
powered by (essentially) stock Mazda rotary engines and outperform similar
aircraft powered by aircraft engines?
So why are these engines so great for aircraft use? The rotary has its
advantages and disadvantages. In an aircraft the advantages become more
important and the disadvantages matter less.
1) The rotary has excellent power: weight ratio. In a car this is good, in
an airplane this is great. Climb speed, take off distance, landing distance,
and even how much fuel and cargo that can be carried are greatly affected by
engine weight.
2) The rotary has poor combustion and emissions qualities. In a car this is
very bad, in an aircraft this is not so bad. Currently the emission
standards for aircraft are essentially non existent (but we would like to
protect the environment as much as possible)
3) The rotary runs very smoothly. Not a huge issue in cars where all car
engines are well insulated and mounted. Current aircraft engines, however,
will shake your teeth out. Vibration is a major source of component failure
on aircraft.
4) The stock 13B components (rotors, e-shaft etc) are extremely stout and
can withstand abuses well beyond their rated horse power. This is again not
an issue in cars because all cars are expected to run a lifetime without
needing a rebuild. Aircraft engines are constantly running near the
structural limits of their crankshafts, exhaust valves and pistons. These
components fail much more frequently than is acceptable to me. This is the
single biggest advantage to the rotary - my life, my family's lives.
5) The apex seals need lubrication. This would be best accomplished by a
cleanly burning oil separate from crankcase oil. Car owners would never
tolerate having to add a separate oil that was not readily available and made
the car smoke a little. Airplane owners, however, are not so finicky. They
are used to having to tinker and baby their old aircraft engines. Adding a
second oil to a reservoir (or the fuel itself) is nothing in exchange for a
more reliable & powerful engine.
6) The rotary is poor on low end torque. Car people hate that. Airplane
people don't care one bit as long as it gets off the ground quick and flies
fast (peak hp). A fixed gear box is of course required, but there are
several readily available.
7) The rotary is somewhat poorer on fuel burn than piston engines. In the
automotive market, this can hurt a little. But compared to aircraft engines
the rotary does pretty good. Further, because of its lack of exhaust valves,
the rotary can be excessively leaned in cruse flight without damage to the
engine and thus improve its fuel efficiency. Water cooling can significantly
further reduce cooling drag, bringing the MPG of the rotary above that of its
piston aircraft rivals.
8) The Mazda Rotary engines probably cost Mazda/Ford more to make than most
other engines because of the relatively low volume. But this volume is still
much higher volume than aircraft engines so rotaries are still a huge bargain
for us.
Anyway, this is a long letter to be getting from a stranger. I was hoping
you might be able to forward it to the right person at Mazda. With the
advent of the RENISIS, I know there are some strong rotary supporters there.
As a rotary aircraft movement, all we are hoping for is better access to
engines (parts are easy) and for Mazda/Ford to embrace our efforts. I'm sure
the rotary aviation movement can only improve the overall image of Mazda
rotary engines. More than anything though, we want Mazda/Ford to continue to
produce these remarkable engines and would like to do everything we can to
help make it profitable to do so. Personally, I would also love a chance to
see the factory, especially any part having to do with rotary engines,
RX-7's, RX-8's, cosmos etc.
Best Regards,
David Leonard, MD
VMFA-232 Flight Surgeon
PS. If you can get me in to see the factory, I can let you sit in the
cockpit of one of our F/A-18 Hornets :-)
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