REFLECTOR: new engines

[KeithHallsten]

Ronnie,

No offense taken.

I'm aware that Honda and Continental are doing market studies for the Honda
four-cylinder prototype.  However, what I meant by "get serious about piston
engines for GA aircraft" is a commitment to produce a range of engines, not
just study marketing a single model.  Of course, Honda has already done that
with outboard motors, snow blowers, lawnmowers, cars, motorcycles, small
industrial engines, etc., etc.   It looks like they may have something
adaptable to the small-fuselage Velocity, but those of us with "Bubba" will
need a bigger motor!

Keith


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ronnie Brown" <romott at adelphia.net>
To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2004 4:32 PM
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: new electronic ign.


> Keith,
>
> I'm sorry that wasn't very nice of me, I didn't mean to step on toes.
>
> Just my opinion - everybody's got one, most of them stink!!!
>
> I think Honda has already joined forces with Continental to build a flat
> four, water cooled engine.  See half way down the page of
> http://world.honda.com/AircraftEngines/
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "KeithHallsten" <KeithHallsten at quiknet.com>
> To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
> Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2004 6:13 PM
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: new electronic ign.
>
>
> | Ronnie,
> |
> | Yeah, but I went with the LASAR in part on the recommendation of the
guys
> at
> | Lycon.  If you ask around enough, it's possible to find any given
opinion
> on
> | any component.  In the end we all have to "pay our money and take our
> | chances"!!  If it doesn't work out, I'll let you know!
> |
> | I'm really waiting for someone like Honda to get serious about piston
> | engines for GA aircraft.  It looks like they are moving forward with
their
> | jet, and I'm betting that they will be a major force in piston engines
> | within a few years.  If they do decide to go after the market, both
> Lycoming
> | and Continental are liable to be crushed.  The old-line companies are
> really
> | sitting ducks when it comes to engine and manufacturing technology.
> |
> | Keith
> |
> |
> | ----- Original Message -----
> | From: "Ronnie Brown" <romott at adelphia.net>
> | To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
> | Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2004 1:42 PM
> | Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: new electronic ign.
> |
> |
> | > I think the Laser is overpriced and is not that reliable.  I know of
at
> | > least two that have failed after not that many hours.  It will also
fail
> | to
> | > back up with any loss of sensors (I believe CHT or EGT is monitored -
if
> | it
> | > fails, then it goes to back up mode.)
> | >
> | > You can and should be able to run a Lightspeed or Jeff Rose then
replace
> | it
> | > with a Slick when you sell it and suffer no penalty.  It will be up to
> the
> | > A&P that signs the engine off as being airworthy when it is installed
in
> a
> | > certified airplane.  Some will reject a certified engine as soon it is
> | > installed on a homebuilt - some in the FAA feel this way.
> | >
> | > Ronnie
> | >
> | >
> | > ----- Original Message -----
> | > From: "KeithHallsten" <KeithHallsten at quiknet.com>
> | > To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
> | > Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2004 2:09 PM
> | > Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: new electronic ign.
> | >
> | >
> | > | Yes, the pistons on an IO-360 four or an IO-540 six are so large
that
> | you
> | > | really need to start the flame front at more than one location to
> | achieve
> | > | full combustion.  So even if you had a perfectly reliable ignition,
> you
> | > | would still want two spark plugs per cylinder.  However, it's pretty
> | > | ridiculous to have fixed spark timing, regardless of rpm, altitude,
or
> | > | throttle setting.
> | > |
> | > | I want to keep my IO-540-D "certified" (sort of) so it will be
easier
> to
> | > | sell when a better engine alternative presents itself.  Therefore, I
> | > | specified the LASAR electronically-controlled mag system.  My engine
> | > should
> | > | come out of Lycon's shop in about a month.  I'm not real impressed
> with
> | > the
> | > | price/performance ratio of the LASAR, but it seemed to be the best
> | > | alternative under the circumstances.  It does have the advantage of
> | > | defaulting to standard fixed-timing mag mode in the unlikely event
of
> | loss
> | > | of electronic control.
> | > |
> | > | Keith Hallsten, XLFG a-building, Lincoln, CA
> | > |
> | > |
> | > | ----- Original Message -----
> | > | From: "Scott Derrick" <scott at tnstaafl.net>
> | > | To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list"
<reflector at tvbf.org>
> | > | Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2004 10:15 AM
> | > | Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: new electronic ign.
> | > |
> | > |
> | > | > > Try and remember: you do not have two mags because they give
> better
> | > | > > ignition that way - they give lousy ignition the day you install
> | them,
> | > | > > and go downhill from there. You have two mags because one of
them
> is
> | > | > > *certain* to fail. One electronic unit provides better ignition
> | (saves
> | > a
> | > | >
> | > | > While I agree that mags are much more failure prone than an EI and
> | that
> | > | > one of the reasons for two is redundency in case of failure.
> | > | >
> | > | > Mags have a lousy spark and you will not get full power with just
> one.
> | > | > two are required.  Even with EI's two plugs will provide a more
> | complete
> | > | > burn and more power than one.
> | > | >
> | > | > Scott
> | > | >
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