Went to a wedding reception yesterday of a pilot friend and
another friend of mine was there that is in the know on the
Toyota aviation program.

Toyota spent $220 million dollars certifying and making major changes
on the Lexes V8 for aircraft use and then abandoned the program.

They felt so many changes were required that it would not
be cost competitive with the real aircraft engines.

On the other hand Ford/Mazda are sitting on a viable aircraft
engine with no major changes required.

Toyota are presently back developing an aircraft that uses
a Lycoming engine. So far $120 million as been spent and they
are losing interest again.

He also agrees with me that the Eclipse program is doomed to failure
having already spent $200 million of investors money.

How to make a small fortune out of a large one :)

We also talked about the viability of GA in general.
We both feel something needs to be done about the ability
of low cost airplanes (not jets) to get above the weather and be more
comfortable. My suggestion is a pressurized dual sequential
turbo charged rotary powered prop airplane capable of cruising 
at 45,000 feet. WW II fighter planes flew up to 45,000 feet.

Paul Lamar
 
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