Thanks Neville,
I've always wondered how much oil the Norton consumed. It sounds as
though the technology just isn't up to the task. I wonder why Diamond
took a go at it.
As expected, the factory's Rotax recommendation sounds like the solid
(and proven) option. Plus with the firewall forward kit, all the
installation experimentation is avoided.
My concern with the non-conventional installations (such as the rotary)
are the torsional resonance gearbox issues - which the Rotax has
successfully proven with their long service record. I fly behind one on
our local FBO's Katana fleet - and their planes really get run hard.
It's always fun to see what other new options are out there though....
and watch others as they experiment. :-)
Cheers,
Pete
A239
-----Original Message-----
From: Neville Eyre [mailto:Neville@europa-aircraft.com]
Subject: Re: RE: Europa-List: Engine options
<Neville@europa-aircraft.com>
Hi ALL,
For those of you thinking of going with the Norton / Mid West Wankel,
forget it !
The fuel burn was half as much again as a 912 [ same journey, same speed
] the nearly total loss oil lubrication system deposited huge quantities
of very expensive oil down the belly of the aircraft, and the noise was
horrific.
We struggled for nearly two years to get it to run nicely, without
hicking / popping / burping, [which improoved ones airmanship, because
you were allways picking into wind fields ahead, ''just in case''].
The light weight was it's only good point, but even that was a
disadvantage when we eventually removed it, if it had been heavier, we
could have used it as a boat anchor !
At this moment in time, there is no good reason to not fit a Rotax 912 /
914.
Cheers,
Nev.
>>> "Peter Zutrauen" <peterz@zutrasoft.com> 01/28/04 09:05pm >>>
<peterz@zutrasoft.com>
Hi Ken,
The Mazda at 300lbs installed weight for a 2 rotor, it's just too heavy.
I'm keeping my eye on a single rotor variant with custom aluminum side
plates.... @ less than 200lbs - but it's still in the very early
development stages and as such is still unproven. Richard Sohn is the
fellow doing the work unicorn@gdsys.net. I have some pics I could email
you.
The Midwest Norton rotary was tried in the Europa early on by the
factory (as per the old newsletters), but they apparently had cooling
issues - there may be one or two flying in the UK. The Norton design has
now been purchased by Diamond Aircraft, and marketed out of Italy.
http://aeroshop.it/engines/
Likely very expensive, and one would still likely have the cooling and
consumption issues. Nice and light though (105Hp @ 155lbs wet with a
second alternator).
Cheers,
Pete
A239
-----Original Message-----
From: Kenneth Gresham [mailto:kgresham@mtco.com]
Subject: Europa-List: Engine options
Just wondering if any builders are or will be using a Mazda rotary?
Ken Gresham , Illinois
A268
Preparing to fit wings
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