REFLECTOR: Deltahawk engine

[Grigore Rosu]

Warm thanks to those who expressed their opinion on the DH engines: 
(in chronological order of answering) Andy Millin, J.P. Brooks, Douglas 
Holub, Al Gietzen, Tom Martino, Dean May.  It was a very pleasant first 
day on the REFLECTOR discussion list.

Please let me tell you a bit more about my plans regarding my 
Velocity-to-be.  Any piece of advice is more than welcome, 
including/especially criticisms!

I intend to use a constant speed propeller, more precisely to order the DH 
engine kit promissed by Velocity, Inc.

I have little knowledge of mechanics or engines (I'm a computer science 
professor), so simplicity of engine matters to me.  The fact that DH has 
fewer moving components, no carburator or fuel leaning, no sparks, etc., 
sounds very attractive to me.

I'm interested in flying long trips with my family (2 adults plus 1 
child).  Speed is NOT the most important factor; what I care is 
reliability, endurance and efficiency.  I'd like to also fly at least one 
trip USA-Europe per year.

Does anybody know which of the 160, 180 and 200 models can fly the longest 
distance on a given amount of fuel, at its normal cruising speed?

I understand the the only "drawback", if we can call it so, of a 200 model 
is the intercooler, which may slightly complicate the installation.  Can 
anybody think of any drawback of the 180 model in contrast to the 160 one? 
TBO? (let's ignore the price and assume a constant speed propeller)  I'm 
not decided which of the DH engines to pick, so I'd like to understand all 
the factors before choosing one.

Also, another important issue: insurance!  Everything else being equal, is 
the insurance for a Velocity with a DH engine any higher than for one with 
a Lycoming?  Also, it seems that Deltahawk will soon certify their engine. 
My dumb guess is that they will first certify the 160 model, in which case 
the insurance of a Velocity with DH160 may be lower ... Any thoughts on 
that?

Anticipated thanks,
Grigore

p.s. I hope I'm not asking too many questions for a new comer ...


On Thu, 5 May 2005, Grigore Rosu wrote:

> I am perhaps the latest member of the list (just received the confirmation of 
> my order for a Velocity SE/FG a few days ago), so please let me start with a 
> warm hello to all the enthusiastic Velocity Builders!
>
> I am living and flying in Illinois (Champaign-Urbana area), but I am 
> originally from Romania.  I intend to move back to Europe in a few years, so 
> I am 99% decided to go for a Deltahawk engine (as you may all know, in Europe 
> the price of AVGAS is prohibitive).  I am also very impressed with the latest 
> comparison data between the DH160V4 engine and the Lycoming IO-360, so it 
> looks like a DH engine may be a very good choice even for one flying one's 
> Velocity all the time in the USA ... (see 
> http://www.deltahawkengines.com/perfor00.shtml).
>
> Are there builders on this list who are seriously considering a DH engine?
>
> Can anybody comment a bit on the three possibile DH engines, namely the 
> DH160V4, DH180V4, and DH200V4?  According to Deltahawk's data, a DH160V4 
> sounds like just good enough for a Velocity SE/FG.  However, a DH180V4 also 
> seems very attractive.  Also, what would the REAL difference between the 
> three engines be in the case of a Velocity SE/FG (ignoring the price)?
>
> Thank you,
> Grigore
> _______________________________________________
> To change your email address, visit 
> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
>
> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
> Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
>