Paul and Petri,

As an LSA builder wishing to max out the performance envelop we need a
light rotary engine/PSRU combination with at least 140hp.

Underkill for a twin rotor 13b, but just what we need if weight can be
under 200 lbs wet with all system components.  I talked with Tracy about
a lighter PSRU. He said it should be possible to shave off at least 10
lbs but would require a new design, most likely with a C4 gearset.  How
about Autoflight universal gearbox at 9kg + starter and belhousing? This
unit is rated to 150hp wth a larger unit up to 300hp.

There has been more mention of an all aluminum block design.  Is this
reality or still unproven?  It appears Rotamax is the most recent
company to have coating problems with aluminum components or design of
air cooled rotors, and we can't afford failures!!

At this point it appears that we will be building engines of some sort
for our design.  (hoped for Subaru vendor just priced himself out of our
range) and the other rotary company (Canada) is not up to speed yet. So
- an aluminum 13b appears to be the best option for now.

Regards,

Dan F

American Patriot Aircraft

Hello Dan,

Steve Beckman has exactly what you need.
The "Iron Eagle" with furnace-braced steel housings AFAIK weighed about
the same as their "Superlight", ie. 167 lbs installed.

Rotary list, 27. Feb 2008:
"Meanwhile, Francis Romig is the master machinist who did all our
machining on the orignal engines and he is working with me and Phillip
Groelz to build a clone engine to use this reduction gear and engine
mount.  Don Rivera has the reproduction plenum presently for flow
testing and we'll use Don's dual electric pump package."

Don't know how's the progress. Paul has Steve's email address, ask.

Cheers,

Petri

Thanks Petri,

Along with the furnace brazed housing, would there be practical weight savings designing furnace brazed rotors?  I am thinking of a stainless rotor face and steel sides and interior parts. This way we can get less heat transfere and still have a relatively light rotor.



Dan F