Anyway, thanks for the above proposition to introduce me to Tom Parkes.

It just happens that I met Tom last summer at Oshkosh and saw the nice and
compact

20B installation in his Lancair.  We even had dinner together "Dave

Atkins.  I am just afraid his PSRU might be a bit short-lived as it is
somewhat on the

light side for the power he has.

Francois Badoux

Tom's PSRU already failed. I have not heard from him on what he is going to

do

about it. Several options are open.  One of Tracy's six pinions would work

fine.

On the other hand I suspect he would very much like a constant speed prop.

Paul Lamar

Thomas Parkes wrote:

Paul and Francois:

I have been following this thread with utmost interest.  I remember meeting
Francois last summer, but was not sure until the above mention that this was
the same gentleman.  Greetings, Francois!!  I am pleased that our mutual
interests in rotary engine development promise to bring our paths together
once again.

Regarding my PSRU status:  I had hoped until recently to upgrade the Ross
redrive with a six-pinion planetary, but upon complete disassembly of the
unit, I concluded that aside from the damaged gears, the PSRU evidenced too
many marginal practices that I could not accept.  The final item that made
the entire PSRU unacceptable was the discovery that Chris had drilled three
holes in the end of the prop shaft for prop hub retaining pins, but for some
reason welded over those holes and then drilled three additional 5/16" holes
in between the first set.  I was not willing to hang my prop or my life on
that kind of machining.

I have recently ordered one of Tracy's RD-1B six-pinion redrives.  It won't
accept a constant speed prop, but at least it should handle the power of a
20B.  Perhaps the time will come that a MecanAir (by whatever new name)
redrive will find a place on the pointy end of my Lancair ES.  I can only
dream.

Tom Parkes

 
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