Mr. Lamar:

I would truly appreciate your inclusion of my electronic mail address on
your mailing list of information regarding the wankel style rotary
engine applications for aircraft.  I have purchased the plans and right
to construct one Bearhawk from Bob Barrows.  I would like to install a
rotary engine on this aircraft when it is constructed.  I will work with
Mr. Barrows in determining the proper alignment of this engine on his
design.  I would appreciate any insight that you could provide regarding
this endeavor.

I also have the plans and rights to construct the Midget Mustang.
However, I believe that this engine application would over power the
aircraft.  Any thoughts regarding this matter would be greatly
appreciated.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Wilson

We frequently get comments to the effect I cannot use a rotary because
it has too much power. I think this myth started back in the old
days when more more power equaled more weight. Since the power to weight
ratio of light aircraft engines was more or less constant. More power
more weight. The rotary breaks this curves  as a 250 HP P-port two rotor
firewall forward weighs at least 100 pounds less than a 250 HP six
cylinder Lycomning or Continental firewall forward engine.

True it is a bit tricky to take off at sea level as the airplane at
WOT is likely to head for the fence. So don't take off at full throttle
until you get used to it. Sneak up on it :) Now at 7500 feet and above
you can use all the power you can get as the power of any engine
is way down. Roughly 70 percent for the engine.  That is where you
can cruise faster.

BTW Back in WW I the Germans built some high compression
fighter engines that would detonate at sea level. Not so at 12,000 feet
where air density was way down. There were two throttle levers.
One for take off and one for dog fighting at altitude.

For a STOL aircraft lots of power at the same weight is very valuable
as you can get off a rough strip quicker with a big load.

Say hello to Bob for me next time you talk to him.

Paul Lamar


Mr. Lamar:

Thank you for the rapid response.  Your comments are encouraging.  I shall
re-align my thought processes regarding the long held and misguided concept
of over powering a specific aircraft design.  Regardless of how much
knowledge we acquire over the years we too often overlook the simplest
facts, i.e. power-to-weight ratio.

Thank you again, and I will mention you to Bob the next time we communicate.

Robert W. Wilson

It is an old problem. The Gee Bee killed a lot of pilots before
Jimmy Dolittle came along. The high powered airplane will leave
the ground before the ailerons and other controls acquire
adequate authority. Some times you have to hold them down until
you get good flying speed.

Allan Tolle competed in a time to climb race at Sun n Fun a few years
ago in an RV3 with a Power Sport 300 HP p-port rotary sniffing NOS. Dead
stop to 3000 feet in less than a minute.

Paul Lamar