I would not hold my breath Robin. This has been a monumental 3 year project
and
we are not done yet. This must be tested on our torture test stand/dyno
and flight tested before even these are ready to be duplicated.
A three blade design is a whole different animal.
Beside that this is a very small market for the foreseeable future. We will
know
more after this summer so we can evaluate the growth of rotary engines in
airplanes.
We need more airplanes to show up at Sun n Fun, OSH, Copper State,
Arlington, etc. etc. That Power Sport Velocity crash was a set back IMHO.
I think Butch will agree with me on this.
Paul Lamar
********************************************************************************
Well Paul, to be precise I initially wrote you on 3/4/2001 at 14:30 hours so
this coming March will be exactly 2 years (It must be the Virgo in me) :-)
However you are absolutely correct about it being a MONUMENTAL task indeed.
Every phase has been exactly that, excluding the original concept by you and
Vance Jaqua, which I consider "sheer brilliance", especially Vance's clever
utilization of Balls. (Which I endearingly refer to as "Vance's Balls" :)
Robin,.....Paul is again correct, the Rotary movement is still very small in
comparison with the "Banger's" movement, and if we keep having mishaps the
likes of the recent PowerSport powered A/C, which right now in the eyes of the
average kit builder/purchaser is considered the PRIMO-NUMERO UNO Rotary
supplier, can easily set-up a 1 step forward, 3 step backwards scenario. I find
the resistance on their part inexcusable and irresponsible since they have
access to the largest TECHNICALLY TALENTED, WHAT IF, R&D, ARGUMENTATIVE & OPEN
MINDED Rotary Group (ACRE), literally to their disposal, for FREE, NADA $$$$$.
For God's sake I fail to understand why they don't pick up, look into, and try
some of the Groups ideas/suggestions? What do they have to loose?.....This is
definitely a bad business decision based on pure insecurity which will
eventually sink them, and unfortunately will drag the Rotary movement in the
resulting whirlpool for YEARS.
FWIW......I've been very interested in the flying Rotary engine for ages.
PowerSport originally got my attention, thrust, could afford it and since I was
very ignorant of the engine, they had my business, until Everett left us and
things got shaky.........So I decided to wait and see.........and here I am
years later, still a prospective, fully committed, can afford, now educated in
the Ways of the Rotary, CLIENT, still looking to buy Firewall Forward from an
established business that can prove to me they KNOW what the hell they are
doing and ARE skirting the edge of technology .....SO, HELLO, OUT THERE!!!!!!!!
Do you think I'm the ONLY one in this pickle jar????????
There Paul, are you happy now???, you've stirred the Indian blood in me AGAIN :)
I digress..........
Robin, the plans for the LAEV is progressing as planned.........After we
thoroughly test it in the stand (A much more brutal test than it would see in
service). I'm planning on a limited production run which will be sold to ROTARY
USERS ONLY (Very Small Market and don't expect to make any $).........
Afterwards it will be tested in a "Four Banger" (Biggie Market) and IF it can
cut the Mustard, will be marketing it.........Then we'll see, what next I'll
tackle ?????? But you can be sure that whatever that will be, it will be the
best out there ;)
Butch
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