REFLECTOR: alternative engines

[Al Gietzen]

Scott;

 

You make valid points.  Certainly failures have occurred in alternate engine
installations that lead to forced landings.  Although less likely, the same
is true for certified engines. It is a longer list of course because of the
many more certified engines in use.  I have no idea of percent failures, but
it could be interesting data.

 

EVERYTHING NEEDS TO WORK.  And if you - as the builder - are not in a
position to _know_ (with a very high degree of certainty) that everything
WILL work - then maybe its best that you get some additional technical
assistance - or think about a traditional aircraft engine.

That is definitely good advice. Doing a custom alternate engine installation
is not a trial task, and is a considerably greater challenge that using a
standardized installation package and a conventional aircraft engine.  In
choosing to do this you are making a high stakes bet that you have the
necessary skills and knowledge to develop a highly reliable propulsion
system installation. It's a good idea to use components like engine
controllers, re-drives, etc. that the purveyors are flying themselves and
have proven for hundreds of hours. Draw upon the knowledge and experience of
others doing similar installations.  Have your installation critiqued by
others with that knowledge and experience.

 

There are, of course, FWF (or backward) packages that you can buy, or will
be able to buy.  You are then relying on the designers/producers of the
package to have all the necessary skills and knowledge.  My evaluation is
that the Mistral Rotary and Delta Hawk are examples of valid, viable,
well-engineered packages developed to aircraft standards that will likely
eventually be certified.  Other than that, chose a developer that has both
good engine experience and background, a good understanding of the demands
of aircraft application, and is flying behind (or in front of) their own
package with considerable accumulated hours.

 

FWIW,

Al

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