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Rotary engines for all Zenith Aircraft

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jerry(at)jerryhey.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:19 pm Post subject: Rotary engines for all Zenith Aircraft

I have not seen mention of the Rotamax  engines  on this list, probably because they are so new,  but they are ideal for our purposes.   I have long been a fan of the Mazda Rotary but it is too heavy and too powerful for our use.   All that has changed with the Rotamax.   Rather than write a long description I refer you to  their web site.   Jerry 

http://www.rotaryaircraftengines.com   

 [quote][b]

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Ron Lendon

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Location: Clinton Twp., MI

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject: Re: Rotary engines for all Zenith Aircraft

Do you have any links of flying examples? Satisfied customers etc...

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_________________
Ron Lendon
WW Corvair with Roy's Garage 5th bearing
CH 601 XLB
N601LT - Flying
http://www.mykitlog.com/rlendon
Corvair Engine Prints:
https://sites.google.com/site/corvairenginedata/

psm(at)att.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:59 am Post subject: Rotary engines for all Zenith Aircraft

Hi Jerry,



 Thanks for posting the link to the Rotamax engine web page.  I took a quick look at it, and was not particularly impressed.



 The biggest problems I noticed were:

 1.  The engines are very expensive.  The only one which could be used on my CH601XL started at over $17,000 in a configuration that was not complete.  It clearly didn't include the required PSRU.  It also didn't include the FWF items which were mentioned but not detailed.  After designing and/or purchasing an engine mount and the other FWF items needed like a cowl and various plumbing and control items this seems like it would be as expensive as a new Continental or Lycoming engine and a lot more than a Rotax or Jabiru.



 2.  While the claim is that this was designed for aircraft use, the requirements for a water cooling system, PSRU, Oil injection system, and completely electronic control system suggest otherwise.  The basic engine may be simpler than a piston engine, but the accessories seem to me to be failure points waiting to cause problems in an airplane.  There is no mention of fault tolerance built into the engine besides the dual spark plugs.  I would at least like to see a statement that the engine will still run if the generator/battery fails to supply power to the electronics.



 3.  Based on the web page, it seems this is a brand new design that has not been used in any airplane or other vehicle.  While I appreciate use of new technology, I don't think a kit plane designed for first time builders is a good testing ground for an unproven engine.



 Perhaps these problems are figments of my imagination.  Perhaps they are real issues and can be resolved in a few years by some more experience with this new line of engines.



 Paul

 XL fuselage



 

 At 06:13 PM 1/26/2008, you wrote:



 [quote]I have not seen mention of the Rotamax  engines  on this list, probably because they are so new,  but they are ideal for our purposes.   I have long been a fan of the Mazda Rotary but it is too heavy and too powerful for our use.   All that has changed with the Rotamax.   Rather than write a long description I refer you to  their web site.   Jerry 

  

  http://www.rotaryaircraftengines.com   



  	  Quote: 	
		  



[/b] 	
[b]

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