I'm not a customer of Powersport or a current builder of a rotary
installation. I have been a daily reader of this net for 6
months. I was continually puzzled by the lack of discussion
regarding the Powersport product, but given the obvious hostility,
I now understand. The only reason I am/was interested in a rotary
powerplant was the existance of a firewall forward package
like Powersport's. I am an engineer and recognize the tremendous
amount of work that must go into every component of a firewall
forward package. I put myself through college as a mechanic and have
no fear of things mechanical. I'm under the cowl of my 6A
every weekend. Perhaps I am gutless and don't have the gene, but I
don't see anything wrong with letting someone, for $30,000 or
more, put in the time to produce a package that has been wrung out.
I want the advantages of a flying behind a rotary, not the
R&D the experience of building one. I am often shocked at the lack
of knowledge in what I read here (in addition to the very
creative, well thought out, state of the art work). But, I do fear
that rotaries won't catch on because of fatal amateur efforts
giving them a bad name. Tedd, I would be very interested any sort
of a similar forum for your product or a way to keep
updated.
If you had been reading this forum for the last 4+ years like I have
you would be amazed at the lack of critical thinking demonstrated at
Powersport.
What you perceive as hostility is more like pure frustration, I think
Paul really pulls his punches sometimes.
Here are some examples:
Cooling: They mounted the radiator on the firewall without enough
clearance behind it for the air to flow, Paul showed them the data as
to what the problem was, and how it didn't matter how big of a scoop
they put on the cowl, it wasn't going to cool during climbout. Even
with the new cowl, they continue to struggle with cooling problems
having yet to change the radiator setup.
Redrive: A planetary drive has more linear tooth contact, therefore
less wear. It is also lightweight and compact. They wanted the offset
of a spur drive and insisted it was more durable. They spent a lot of
time & $ making a drive that will likely not last nearly as long, and
weighs more and costs more. All while there is a lighter, proven
design available that they could have had Tracy supply, or they just
could have copied it. We have all seen the drawings go by on this list.
The velocity install failure was not really their fault, that builder
(who knew about this list) made some big mistakes, had wrap on his
unsupported exhaust, which cracked and then overheated the fuel which
was right by the exhaust. He was also flying at 500 AGL, a big no-no
when flight testing.
However, one wonders if they were aware of the details of the install.
I also wonder why they do not encourage their builders to join this
list and have us check their install. We have a lot of talent here
lurking waiting to help builders avoid problems. Seems to me that it
would spread the liability around.
Their own factory ship install violates some of the practices that we
have developed on this list:
1) Fuel on the exhaust side of the engine.
2) Radiator exposed to radiant heat from the exhaust.
3) I see no exhaust support in their drawings.
4) No ducting to the radiator, radiator mounted too close to the
firewall.
Bottom line(s):
Tracy Crook's install is the most "wrung out" to date.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a $30K firewall forward install
package, if it is proven should sell very well.
The aviation rotary will survive on it's own merits, regardless of an
individual or group installation failure.
So far the amateur installs are the best.
We are happy to discuss Powersport on this list, shall we start with
the four points enumerated above?
As far as ignorance on the list, well that is the whole point isn't it?
Newer people ask some dumb questions, Paul straightens them out. Many
of us who have been reading for a few years hang back, as the
discussion does go in circles.
Little by little the knowledge improves, and some amazing products are
developed. Right now you can buy a redrive, a fuel injection system,
and soon an adjustable prop, all for the 13B.
I love it.
Hans
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