Paul

"What does Paul Lamar know" ?   That's very good, and if you didn't say
it, you should have.   It's almost Lincolnesque.
I joined your rotary newslist recently, and enjoy it very much, even if
I frequently scratch my head and go "What the heck are they talking
about"? lol.   Also, your website.  Of particular note is that fact that
you write especially  well (imo), and are good at explaining the subject
to the layperson struggling to grasp the material without the benefit of
an engineering backround.   So many technical people are competent in
their area, but can't explain it to the outsider for beans.

The famous quote by George Marshall comes to mind, when he was an
instructor at West Point in the 1930's, roughly  "If you know your
subject, you can explain it to anyone in 5 minutes".  Frequently
attempted; very seldom achieved, from what I can see.

I'm a retired bus driver, and a long-inactive private pilot looking to
get back into recreational flying.   At Oshkosh this year, I wandered up
to Tracy Crook's RV-4, and looked at the engine installation.  I wasn't
aware that anyone had put a rotary engine in an airplane, or that it was
even possible.    VW's, Corvair's, Subaru's  the occasional V-6 or V-8,
sure, but a rotary ?    After a couple minutes of contemplation, it
seemed like a very good idea to me, so I bought Tracy's auto conversion
book,  and set out to learn something on the subject.

I called John Schwaner a short time ago, and ordered the Sky Ranch
Engineering Manual.

Couple questions:  Silicon nitride ceramic apex seals ?  Sounds like
something used on the space shuttle.  What would they cost ?  Are they
available ?

300 HP, 2000 lb diesel engine in crop duster airframe.  Why would this
be illegal?  Kinda sounds like the setup on the P-39 WWII fighter, with
the mid-mounted engine, and the prop shaft running between the pilot's
legs. So the concept  has been proved.

 The weight to power would be unique, but you could turn a huge prop,
all day, especially with a gear reduction, say a 2.5 to 1 reduction,
2500 engine rpm, 1000 prop rpm, turning a 20', three-bladed prop.
Sound about right ?

I hope you develop your weight to power chart further...

Anyway, thanks for the great website, and the newsgroup.

George Ulicny

The ceramic apex seals are about $200 each for a total
of $1200.  Well worth it I expect if your looking for
300 HP.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

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