Tedd, I did not intend to disrespect the Powersport package, as I
believe it
is a fine package. I do stand by however that a peripheral port
engine with
all new parts and Tracy's engine control package will make 215 hp
reliably,
and for less that the cost of the Powersport ENGINE. The builder would
have to be a competent engine builder, and working as an end user. I
don't
believe there would be "a huge profit" to be made, just a reasonable
savings.
Fair statement! But please read- reasonable savings could equal
reasonable profit for someone like Powersport.
To the person that wants to BUY the system already build Powersport's
package is a good one. The problem YOU have is that at the price point
Powersport is selling one has to be a real rotary zealot to go there.
At 28k
you can buy a brand new O 360 from Van and have enough money left
over to buy a fixed pitch prop as well. I am a rotary fan but if I
had to make
choice of the Powersport package or a certified engine for the same
price
I would be forced to grit my teeth and buy Lycoming.
I say this ONLY
because of the ease with which I could get my aircraft insured and
signed
off. Vans list price for an EO-360 A1A is $23,500. A little less
power than
the Rotary, but everything is ready to go. You can even run a
conventional
variable pitch prop. Your current pricing shows $22,500 for the
engine/reduction and $5,000 for a kit including engine mount and
isolators,
(like you would be able to run without them) for a "all up cost" of
$27,500.
I'm not sure but I think the Vans engines - though new - are not
certified.
Also, I just checked the prices they offer. (BTW 200hp 33,500 + install)
By the time you add all that is needed to run the Lyc you speak of it
will add up to
significantly more than our package. (they need mounts etc too.)
Also to be clear, several insurance companies have guaranteed coverage
for Powersport installations, AND AT THE SAME PRICE AS A CERTIFIED
ENGINE!.
This would include the firewall mounted radiator that is problematic
in hot
weather. The problem here is you can buy one of the Lycoming Angle
valve
200 hp copies for less than the cost of the rotary conversion for an
RV-6/7. To
the average builder the choice here is a no brainer. To be viable a
new
engine package has to offer something beyond novelty to entice the
buyers.
Respectfully,
Bill Jepson
Bill you are right! The Powersport package is not for everyone. Nor do
we intend it to be.
Further, we believe that the reason for using the rotary powerplant, is
not based on the cost
savings a builder could enjoy up front. From the postings you have made
in the past
I know you agree. Much of what is advocated and expected of Powersport
costs
a significant amount of money, but yet somehow we are supposed to be
priced
in competition to someone doing his own system.
Also what Paul and all of us advocate the rotary for is its durability,
smoothness
and lower cost per hour to operate.
With this in mind the savings over a Lyc are not only today but also in
the future.
Thank you for the kind words above.
Respectfully,
Tedd James
Tedd James
Office: (612) 676 - 0118
Cellular: (612) 840 - 1717
Fax: (612) 617 - 7743
Office:
1315 4th St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
IMHO if Power Sport really wanted to help, and I told Ray this five years ago,
they should sell the bits and pieces necessary to install the rotary.
Get a lot of rotaries flying first any way you can.
IMHO The market is not yet ready for a $27,500 firewall forward rotary package.
It may be another five years if we are lucky and more people enter
air races with rotaries. When Everett Hatch owned Power Sport he understood
the synergy between air racing and sales. Klause Saviour LSE is doing
very very well indeed exploiting that synergy. So too does Lancair,
Continental Engines, and Hartzel props.
In the mean time PowerSport could show up on a regular basis at air shows
around the country. Something they are not doing now.
Paul Lamar
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