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bretttdc(at)yahoo.com
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 Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:05 pm Post subject: Stratus-List Digest: 14 Msgs - 01/09/06 |
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I have been hanging out around the local experimental
airport for some time now. I have witnessed more than
a few engine failures. Some have been certified
engines. Some have been expensive "aircraft" engine
failures. Others have been automobile engine
failures.
It is interesting to note that the complaints after
the incident seem to be much less pointed when the
engine was a much more expensive "aircraft" engine.
That is to say engine failures in an expensive
"aircraft" engine seem to be accepted and glossed
over much more rapidly than an engine failure in an
automotive engine conversion. Maybe it is just human
nature. The less someone pays the less they value the
service or the product. When the product is perceived
as free is when the complaints get the most vocal.
Even more interesting is that only Stratus EA-81
engine owners seem to blame one specific person at the
factory for the problem. When you elect to use any
automotive conversion or any other experimental engine
you must become the mechanic and the maintenance
professional. You as pilot in command and
manufacturer are soley responsible for the
airworthiness of your aircraft prior to any flight.
That's why we are hearing so much about pulling the
cowl before every flight with some of these engines.
Sometimes we seem to be like little old ladies in this
list. When someone does not live up to your
expectations we blame them for the rest of their
career. I do not think it is fair to Stratus to keep
dragging up the same old problems long after they have
been addressed and corrected in current production.
The Stratus engines have proven themselves to be low
maintenance and dependable.
For me the difference in the price of a a conversion
and an "aircraft" engine is the difference between
flying and not flying. I would hate to see one of the
few companies that support the EA-81 leave the market
place because of our gossip about things that have
long since been rectified.
Just one other mans opinion.
Opinions are just like assholes.
Most everybody has one.
Everybody is entitled to one.
Clear blue skies and smoth landings.
Brett Hanley
CH 701 plans built
San Jose, Costa Rica
(506)771-7078
(506)371-4064
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d3dw(at)msn.com
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 7:21 pm Post subject: Stratus-List Digest: 14 Msgs - 01/09/06 |
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Hi Brett,
I enjoyed my EA-81 powered HDS this week. I flew up from Texas to Little Rock on Wednesday and back on Saturday with beautifully clear skies.
I also enjoyed what you wrote and I agree that unrealistic expectations cause a lot of frustration. If, however, someone tells you something about his product which is not true, or the product does not live up to what is advertised, then that is another story. That has been the case with some of the engines/products sold by Stratus. I know the complaints I have heard to be legitimate...not just unrealistic expectations. Unlike Lycoming and Continental, there is only one man responsible now for these engines and products.
The efforts of myself and others who mention Mikel have been to help him, as well as to correct our problems. However, as a good natured but hardheaded mechanic who is trying to make a dollar, in the past he has been slow to learn some things...as perhaps many of us are.
Like you, I believe everyone can learn to improve things. I hope Stratus engines are now better. It wouldn't be hard to do or expensive if one intended to make those improvements. What is your personal experience with the NEW Stratus engines?
do not archive
From: Brett Hanley<mailto:bretttdc(at)yahoo.com>
To: stratus-list(at)matronics.com<mailto:stratus-list(at)matronics.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2006 8:05 PM
Subject: Re: Stratus-List Digest: 14 Msgs - 01/09/06
I have been hanging out around the local experimental
airport for some time now. I have witnessed more than
a few engine failures. Some have been certified
engines. Some have been expensive "aircraft" engine
failures. Others have been automobile engine
failures.
It is interesting to note that the complaints after
the incident seem to be much less pointed when the
engine was a much more expensive "aircraft" engine.
That is to say engine failures in an expensive
"aircraft" engine seem to be accepted and glossed
over much more rapidly than an engine failure in an
automotive engine conversion. Maybe it is just human
nature. The less someone pays the less they value the
service or the product. When the product is perceived
as free is when the complaints get the most vocal.
Even more interesting is that only Stratus EA-81
engine owners seem to blame one specific person at the
factory for the problem. When you elect to use any
automotive conversion or any other experimental engine
you must become the mechanic and the maintenance
professional. You as pilot in command and
manufacturer are soley responsible for the
airworthiness of your aircraft prior to any flight.
That's why we are hearing so much about pulling the
cowl before every flight with some of these engines.
Sometimes we seem to be like little old ladies in this
list. When someone does not live up to your
expectations we blame them for the rest of their
career. I do not think it is fair to Stratus to keep
dragging up the same old problems long after they have
been addressed and corrected in current production.
The Stratus engines have proven themselves to be low
maintenance and dependable.
For me the difference in the price of a a conversion
and an "aircraft" engine is the difference between
flying and not flying. I would hate to see one of the
few companies that support the EA-81 leave the market
place because of our gossip about things that have
long since been rectified.
Just one other mans opinion.
Opinions are just like assholes.
Most everybody has one.
Everybody is entitled to one.
Clear blue skies and smoth landings.
Brett Hanley
CH 701 plans built
San Jose, Costa Rica
(506)771-7078
(506)371-4064
| | - The Matronics Stratus-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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Larry McFarland
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 36
Location: East Moline, Illinois
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| Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:25 pm Post subject: Stratus-List Digest: 14 Msgs - 01/09/06 |
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I do agree with you Brett,
The Subaru can still loose valve guides. Some fly without concern for
the guides and never have problems, but I think perhaps it's worth
sending the heads to RAM to correct a potential problem.
My mount, at 40 plus hours showed signs of failure, so I made another
and called Mykal. He sent me a new one with a corrected longer gusset.
Most, have only welded the crack and added a strip across the offending
area near the gusset if it wasn't replaced.
Solid state ignition failed on some Stratus engines and it's typically
the magnetic sensor that reads the flywheel magnets. Mine went bad and
I sent it off to Mykal. He replaced it without issue and commented that
some had been soldered too hot and had become heat-sensitive and
intermittent. Mine failed on an early test flight. It's replacement
hasn't given me problems. I'd also recommend dual ignition be installed
and the standard ignition Nippondenso distributor internal-module also
be replaced with an external TP45 module.
Bing carbs need bigger jet sizes after having the heads reworked by RAM,
because there is more air going through the engine.
Cooling issues were a Zenith engineered problem, placing the rabbit
radiator so close to the firewall catching turbulence of the nose gear
and absorbing radiated heat.
from the muffler.
If you worried that there were other problems with the Subaru, I don't
think there are any and only 3 would I call Stratus problems..
Valve guides, mounts and ignition problems are not by themselves enough
for me to be angry, but collectively, people compare notes and feel the
issues might have been fixed a bit earlier, before they became regular
discussion.
On hindsight, I'd buy another Stratus because I seriously like the
engine, its humming sound, serious economy and achievable reliability.
It's a really well engineered package. I'd like to think that Stratus,
at least, will be around a while longer.
Larry McFarland - 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com
Brett Hanley wrote:
| Quote: | Even more interesting is that only Stratus EA-81
engine owners seem to blame one specific person at the
factory for the problem. When you elect to use any
automotive conversion or any other experimental engine
you must become the mechanic and the maintenance
professional.
I do not think it is fair to Stratus to keep
dragging up the same old problems long after they have
been addressed and corrected in current production.
The Stratus engines have proven themselves to be low
maintenance and dependable.
For me the difference in the price of a a conversion
and an "aircraft" engine is the difference between
flying and not flying. I would hate to see one of the
few companies that support the EA-81 leave the market
place because of our gossip about things that have
long since been rectified.
Clear blue skies and smoth landings.
Brett Hanley
CH 701 plans built
San Jose, Costa Rica
(506)771-7078
(506)371-4064
|
| | - The Matronics Stratus-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Stratus-List |
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_________________
Larry McFarland - 601HDS - Stratus |
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rueffy(at)jetthrust.com
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 10:23 pm Post subject: Stratus-List Digest: 14 Msgs - 01/09/06 |
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I agree with you Brett. If you install any engine in any experimental you are
the cheif designer, engineer and test pilot. Nobody is responsible but you.
That being said I think it is a fair expectation that the factory corrects ASAP
known and common failures. Mykal has done this with alternator mounts,
ignitions, going to a single belt, etc etc and I have given him credit for
that. However I think he should be doing more on the valve guides issue. I
stand by my comment that people shouldn't have to pull the heads of an engine
they just received and send them away. I know of a person locally here within
the last year that flew the Stratus EA81 without the RAM mod and had to get the
heads redone after 30 hours due to the common valve guide problem.
I talked about the fact Mykal should be pushing his work into constant speed
props etc. I hope that wasn't taken as a shot at him - it wasn't meant to be.
Rather I have a concern that in todays experimental engine market you MUST grow
or die. If you do not evolve and just rest on your laurels (one particular
good product) I am worried Stratus will be left behind. Buyers have expressed
interest in constant speed props for example but I believe have been turned off
by the fact that Stratus cannot offer them solutions based on testing and
experience. I think this would be an excellent way to move the company forward
as an example.
One final comment for Brett, in response to your comment "even more interesting
is that only Stratus EA-81 engine owners seem to blame one specific person at
the factory for the problem." Please correct me if Im wrong but we do this
because its a one man show. Mykal is the factory, sales rep, purchaser,
mechanic and everything else!!
Excellent comments you make about people accepting failures on cert. engines but
dragging conversions through the mud when they fail - we have talked about that
before here. Cheerio (hope I haven't put you off your interest in my engine
Brett!)
Brett (number 2)
Quoting Brett Hanley <bretttdc(at)yahoo.com>:
| Quote: |
I have been hanging out around the local experimental
airport for some time now. I have witnessed more than
a few engine failures. Some have been certified
engines. Some have been expensive "aircraft" engine
failures. Others have been automobile engine
failures.
It is interesting to note that the complaints after
the incident seem to be much less pointed when the
engine was a much more expensive "aircraft" engine.
That is to say engine failures in an expensive
"aircraft" engine seem to be accepted and glossed
over much more rapidly than an engine failure in an
automotive engine conversion. Maybe it is just human
nature. The less someone pays the less they value the
service or the product. When the product is perceived
as free is when the complaints get the most vocal.
Even more interesting is that only Stratus EA-81
engine owners seem to blame one specific person at the
factory for the problem. When you elect to use any
automotive conversion or any other experimental engine
you must become the mechanic and the maintenance
professional. You as pilot in command and
manufacturer are soley responsible for the
airworthiness of your aircraft prior to any flight.
That's why we are hearing so much about pulling the
cowl before every flight with some of these engines.
Sometimes we seem to be like little old ladies in this
list. When someone does not live up to your
expectations we blame them for the rest of their
career. I do not think it is fair to Stratus to keep
dragging up the same old problems long after they have
been addressed and corrected in current production.
The Stratus engines have proven themselves to be low
maintenance and dependable.
For me the difference in the price of a a conversion
and an "aircraft" engine is the difference between
flying and not flying. I would hate to see one of the
few companies that support the EA-81 leave the market
place because of our gossip about things that have
long since been rectified.
Just one other mans opinion.
Opinions are just like assholes.
Most everybody has one.
Everybody is entitled to one.
Clear blue skies and smoth landings.
Brett Hanley
CH 701 plans built
San Jose, Costa Rica
(506)771-7078
(506)371-4064
|
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http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Stratus-List |
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