With the help of Paul and everyone else on this board, I want to try to
develop first a working installation that can be mirrored to other planes
that are being built. When someone asks for a FWF we might be able to say
"no, but we can show you exactly how others have done it and what you will
need".
To do this I think we will need a few things- like an adapter plate of
sorts that will allow the Rotary to replace the Lycoming with the
dyna-focal mount. Those things are everywhere, and used on many smaller
planes. This gives the builder the option of swapping out the engine easily
to or from the Lycoming if he decides to.
Next, a standard EFI system with mechanical backup. I know from experience
that the stock Mazda coils will fire from the CAS without an EFI at
anything over 800 rpm. So given this, with a mechanical fuel delivery
system we have non-electrical redundancy. I like that. It can be as simple
as a throttle actuated regulator tied to the standard mixture control like
we are used to. If the computer goes out, you have a simple leanable
manuable system. Pilots will not accept our alternative engine without a
backup system.
I have heard that each installation is so different that we all are
reinventing the wheel with each installation- maybe so but not necessary.
Tom's Lancair is close enough to mine that I should be able to use much of
his data to speed up my installation. But without a flight to Texas, its
not readily available to me. Tracy's RV10 20b is functional and simple- but
the installation details are not out there for the world to see. We need to
change this.
I just bought a PSRU with several spare parts. I now have enough materials
and info to possibly have more input into the design of the more simple
PSRU unit.
If we are to get more people flying, we need to reduce the costs of not
only flying but of keeping an airplane in the air. This starts with an
affordable airplane from the outset. Affordable airframe, engine and
avionics. I spoke to a man yesterday at the EAA fly in- he is building an
RV-7. His budget is 30K for airframe, 40K for engine, and 30K or more for
avionics. He estimates that it will take him 5 years to save the money.
What if he could spend 30K on the airframe, 15 on the engine and 5 on the
electronics? Half price I am thinking.
I will order a new tablet in the next day or so- it is a cheap unit but it
has an Intel processor. There is a version of Linux out for ARM processors,
but I am hoping the current lightweight versions that are already ported to
an Intel processor will work with the Intel based tablet. The tablet will
run windows7, which means it isn't an ARM version. Lets hope- this will
allow our linux programs to work natively on the tablet.
Also, I am still working on the Arduino board that is ported to Android-
the plan is this: For a few hundred dollars we can have a good android
tablet (or 2) on our panels. These tablets will display engine info etc.
from the EFI board, and allow us to tune our engines from the tablet touch
screen too. Also, we can run apps such as the Garmin pilot on both units
giving a backup. There are gyroscopic boards and chips out now that will
allow us to interface the G reading boards like are in our phones to mag
chips for direction and gyro chips to confirm our spatial position. The end
results will be affordable, redundant electronic guidance. And in my case,
behind the tablets will be the usual compliment of steam gauges including 2
VORs. I really like redundancy.
I have said for a long, long time that if you spend all your life chasing a
dollar, you wont ever catch it. And if you wait for someone else to help
you, you will be waiting a long time. Its up to us to make our own destiny.
Nowadays, I give my time and talents to local organizations that need it, I
help who I can and all without money. We have enough to live on, and I can
devote time and talent to other things. I am willing to be the front so to
speak and try to see what I can do but I will need your help to make it
happen.
What do you guys think? Can we all work together to make flying cheaper for
everybody? Can we make flying in the US Open Source?
Kevin Alderman
Kevin,
I applaud your spirit and your goal. But, if the real objective is a standardized,
affordable setup that
folks can buy, understand, and operate, I'd suggest you strongly consider using a
simple carb
setup rather than the EFI. For a few hundred dollars we can buy a reliable Holley
carb and a leaning
block and be in business: if the engine is pulling air, fuel will go into it. Stone
simple. The EFI
would offer all kinds of nice-to-have bells and whistles, but there are few folks
that want to become
programmers, the costs for high-pressure fuel pumps and injectors are considerable,
and the
controller board and other sensors will require continuous attention. Every link in
that chain is a
potential failure mode, requiring lots of troubleshooting. People want an airplane that
flies safely and reliably at low cost--something they can understand. The EFI technology
will constantly be changing (software and hardware), so whatever you design today is
unlikely
to remain the standard. Carb technology is mature--that model of carb is probably
not going to
change appreciably from year to year. We can't say that about any tablet computer or OS.
The homebrew glass cockpit is likely another diversion. G-meters, navigation, links to
GPS, etc: It's all being done elsewhere and being done well. If this
effortfocuses<< on
the great potential of the Wankel, and building a well-designed, buletproof, and
iteratively
improved low-cost standard installation, (or two) using the hard-won experiences of
others,
it is most likely to be successful and a boon to affordable flight.
Just my two cents. I understand the allure of EFI, I just think it's likely
inconsistent
with an "everyman's rotary" installation, especially if there's a desire for it to
gain wide acceptance
over many years.
Mark W.i
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