Ralph S Bruner wrote:

I was wondering if any one has tried to put a rotary engine on a Grumman

AA-1B  I'm thinking about

buying an airframe and trying to put a rotary engine on one and I'm

looking to see if anyone has

been there first.

Thanks
Ralph in Florida

There was one for sale awhile back in Georgia as I recall. The FAA

would not

be happy.

Paul Lamar

Vaughn Mann wrote:

The AA-1B is similar to the RV-6 in low wing design with a lot of room in
the cowl area (side by side seating) with a lot of consideration to make it
a tail dragger there would be more room for underneath rad.  (BTW there

is a

mod company for that end help in the Dallas Fort Worth area advertised in
the Trade a Planes).  The FAA would accept an application for Experimental
Airworthiness but it may require it to be the "Exhibition Category" type
instead of Amateur built.  Just ask your local FSDO office.  Paul, the

AA-1B

Usually carried the O-235's, wouldn't there be a bit more weight to

consider

with 13B set up?
Vaughn.

That could be a big consideration. As I recall the O-235 is not a lot heavier
than about 220 pounds. In your typical 13B firewall forward installation you
are looking at 300 to 320 pounds.

Paul Lamar

There are STC's for converting the AA1 to O-320 power.  I had a chance to
fly one about 10 years ago and it was quite a performer, although not quite
up to RV-6 standards.  I finished my private ticket in an AA-1B (TR-2
trainer version).  Fun airplane, but at 108 HP, way under powered.

That being said, the rotary would be a good project if you can get it past
the FAA.  With stock fuel it would be a short range airplane.  The tube
spar / fuel tanks hold 11 gallons per side.

Mike

Mike McGee, RV-4 N996RV, O320-E2G, Hillsboro, OR
13B in gestation mode

 
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