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From: Ted Ooms- tooms@learned.com
Hi Dave, hope your're doing ok after your misfortune. What are
your thoughts on a Rotary engine for a 1/2 Tun?.A company in England named Midwest engine
got a 50HP Rotary on the market which is a certified engine in the UK.
Would you have any nonbiased opine on this?( I know that you're a
Rotax fanatic,but I am trying to get away from the 2 strokes. The 4 strokes on the market
are not proven,and I be damned if I am goung to be their testpilot.Any input on this?
Regards and the best of luck
Ted Ooms.
Ted the original Midwest engine was called the Norton Rotary
and was available in two horsepower versions. Last year Diamond - manufacturers of the
Katana got involved with Midwest in an effort to use the 90 hp version in the Katana.
Problems have plagued this project from the start, and to my knowledge no Katana's are
currently flying on the Midwest engine.
But Ted you answered you own question. You don't want to be a
test pilot, besides where do you get parts, service, LOCALLY for the engine. I also
checked out he prices by the time I get them here they are more expensive than a 582
Rotax.
Ted just get a NEW 503 DCDI, single carb with a 2.58 to 1 B
drive. It will give you 300 hours of troublefree operation with power to spare!
The BUZZZMAN
From: "Tom Robeson" sherman@infocom.com
I have a personal experience with a Snowline redrive on a
1985 FlightStar w/440 Kawasaki. 8-9-96 after a thorough preflight including redrive, and
in presence of a prospective buyer, I took off on a demo flight. at 400 ft the shaft
holding the driven pulley on snapped, allowing the prop & hub to strike the pod (heavy
damage to it, cuts for me) and forcing me to land in property adjacent to airport.
Research has indicated that I was not the first this happened to! I hope I can prevent
someone else from having to experience this, as it was no fun and it killed the potential
sale(no surprise, eh?)
Regards,Tom
dpatterson@erols.com
I am looking for information on the Aerodyne Vector 610..need
general information,spec's, maintenance manuals etc...should you know a location where I
might be able to purchase this information, please advise..thank you for your time and
help
dp
The Vector 610 has a design flaw in the wing, I have knowledge
of at least 4 structural failures. Aviation Safety published by Transport Canada published
a report on the design flaw. I am trying to locate it, but after nearly 4 months in the
hospital it is hard to find anything. I will keep looking - if you need the information
quickly then I suggest you contact the Canadian Aviation Safety Board and ask for their
assistance. The BUZZZMAN
Would you have any strobe lights that would be suitable for
mounting on an Avid Flyer? If you do , could you pls email me with some details. Thx Brent
Adams Saskatoon Sask Email: ba@dlcwest.com
Brent the best strobes on the market are put out by Kuntzleman
Electronics Inc. R.D. #2 Pottstown, PA 19465 - 610 326- 9068 Fax 610-970-9078. Good
product, reasonable price, great folks to deal with.
From: M Vogt mvogt@solutions.mb.ca Dave, we're having problems
with our Rotax 503 powering our Quicksilver MX2. The aircraft was stored from 1994-1997
due rotten wingcovers and difficulty in replacing them.
The engine ran fine in 1994. This spring, after replacing the
wing covers, we discovered that the engine was not operating properly. It starts well,
runs perfectly until throttle is advanced to full, then loses RPM and power (30% or more).
Seems to be normal up to full throttle (+ or - a bit). Plugs were changed, and carb (Bing)
removed and cleaned out.
Still the problem persists. I believe that the MX2 was
manufactured mid-80s or so and engine is original. It does not have many hours on it. Any
ideas?
There are a couple of things that I need to help you.
1. I need you to remove the exhaust manifold and check to see
whether there are any signs of seizure, either the rings or on the side of the piston. If
there are then that is probably your problem.
2. I need to know what length and pitch your prop is. A 503 on a quicksilver MX used a 52
x 34.
3. When you rev the engine up does it get up to 6200 RPM tied down on the ground?
4. Check your vent, on your fuel tank cap. Also check your shut off valve to make sure
that it isn't bunged up with sludge.
5. With the engine turned OFF put your ear right beside the rear end of the engine, where
the PTO coupler attaches to the engine. Now turn the engine over VERY SLOWLY and listen
for a sound like a ball bearing falling and hitting something metal. If you hear this
sound then your crankshaft bearings and probably crankshaft need replacing.
6. Check your spark plugs for a nice blue flame when you pull the engine over. Any other
colour would indicate an ignition coil problem.
7. Check the wires running to the coils make sure that they are tight fitting. Check all
three wires here the main big black wire going to the spark plug, and the two wires on
either side of the coil. If either of these are loose fitting they will cause a loss of
power.
8. Make sure you are using premium gas with a 50 to 1 mixture, with spark plugs gapped to
.015 thou and ignition timing set for .086 thou before TDC.
From: "Randy King" rdking@bright.net
You list in the buyers guide an ultralight by the name of
"The Flip Plane" in Rome, Ohio at 216-563-3387 Company Name:
"Raceair". I have tried contacting them and they appear to be out of business.
Do you have any other information on how to contact them. I am interested in seeing the
Flip Plane and possibly purchasing a set of plans.
Randy King
Randy the new builders of the Flitplane Wings of Freedom Inc.
are located in Middlefield Ohio . You can reach them at 216-834-3254.
wanderer@recorder.ca
I am interested in purchasing a folding wing Ultralight. Could you E- mail me a list of
A/C that have them. Thanks in advance and keep up the great work on your website. Dennis
Dennis aircraft with folding wings include the Kolb line
,Kitfox, Avid Flyer, Skywatch, and Preceptor. Other aircraft that have the folding wing
capability but are a little more time consuming are Flightstar and Rans.
hi sir what info or advice do you have on the gt-=400 any info
would be appericated thanks dave
rrice@wcoil.com
The GT 400 was built to replace the MX series of aircraft. It
was one of the most computer tested aircraft of its time. Unfortunately like the Edsel it
just didn't fit the market. It was originally available in either a wire braced or strut
braced version. While I don't know exactly how many have been sold , sources indicate less
than 200. The craft uses a yoke for steering, is covered in dacron sail cloth, usually
powered by a 447/503 Rotax.
For more information check out the single place buyers guide.
From:CHEVYSTANG@aol.com
HI dave
I have a 377 Rotax on a quiksilver mx the motor is mounted inverted. What type of oil do
you recommend in it I am using Penzoil air cooled oil at a 50 to 1 mix.
I am interested in a ballistic parachute do you have any recommendations Thanks Les
Les the Penzoil air cooled oil is a good oil and your mixture
for a Rotax engine is correct. Make sure that you are using premium fuel, that is fresh
each time. In other words don't use fuel that you have had stored in a can for 4 weeks.
The MX does have a tendency to take out rear crankshaft bearings at about 125 hours so
watch for it, it is caused by the driveshaft and engine mount.
BRS is about the only manufacturer still in business and they have several systems that
will mount up to the MX, for more info check out www.ultralightnews.com. under the BRS
section.
DL
From: kemp@cyberbeach.net
I would like to know your opinion of the Jabiru engine for homebuilts? It is a certified
aircraft engine in Australia and is manufactured in South Carolina. It is 80 hp.
Thank you! Bill
Bill-To the best of my knowledge the Jabiru engine and
airplane are still manufactured in Australia - they are only distributed in the US. I have
talked to several owners flying on the engine and they all have good things to say about
it.
One thing that I will warn you is that while it is said to have 80 hp - you might find it
a little lacking on power. When looking at power there is one common denominator - the
propeller. When comparing one engine to another just look at the length and pitch of the
prop that the engine is using. In the case of the 80 HP Jabiru the prop combination is the
same as what is used on a 503 Rotax with a 2.58 to 1 reduction drive. In most two place
aircraft this is not adequate power.
Another consideration is parts and service - Do the people distributing the engine have a
full time staff to troubleshoot and do they have enough parts on hand?
DL
From: "Rene Nardi" chamone@fiemg.com. Is there someone
using the AMW / 2si engines out there ? We are having a good time with our 540 L 70.
Please let me know about your comments on this engine .
Thanks
From: "Jorge Pacheco"
Thanks J.Pacheco8@Worldnet.ATT.Net
A:For proper belt tensioning refer to the Ultralight Alert Bulletin's or contact Dave
Goulet at Quad City - I have requested the information but he has replied that he would
rather have you contact him directly.
Dave, was it in '94 when Challenger changed their drive and went
to a larger prop. Was this change made to the 447 single seater as well? If so what is the
cost for a retrofit?
Thanks Bart
Hi Dave,
Do you know of any ch 1 with a 4 stroke eng? If so how good are they doing? What is the
biggest eng? you can safely put on a ch 1 &still have a good slow &fast range.
What would be the weakest part to be on the look out for at high speed on a ch 1? Mine is
a standered model 1994 with 125 hours with a 447 with short drive 2 blade prop. thanks for
any help you can share with me.
Scottie Mc,
I have been thinking of buying an Airbike. Are these good planes?
What can you tell me about them. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, Brian
Brian the Airbike is a great little plane, produced by a good
company with a well proven track record. The only thing I would suggest is to make sure
you use a Rotax 447/503 rather than the Zenoah or 2si.
DL
From: Graham Malcove
Hello!
I have been flying model aircraft for many years. I am now contemplating flying
Ultralights. I would like to know how long of a grass runway is required for a two place
low / medium powered Ultralight to take off with no wind?
I would like a runway 1,000 feet long, 60 feet wide and clear
at both ends to get the average ultralight in and out safely.
DL
RE:HIRTH ENGINES
Dear Sir,
I would like to introduce myself as the new factory authorized West coast distributor for
Hirth engines. I use a 2-Place Challenger with a Hirth 2703 and so far it has worked
remarkably well, much better than the Rotax 503 I had on it prior to this. I know there
has been many problems with service and technical support with Hirth engines in the past,
but it has been my company's goal to solve that problem. Please feel free to contact me.
.
Scott Engelmohr, President .
Eastside Engines, Inc. .
4700 188th Street N.E. Suite "C" Arlington, WA 98223 .
(360)403-0540
Sir,
I am currently building a single seat ultralight / experimental aircraft, and would like
some advice on which Rotax engine I should use. Could you please provide me some advice or
point me to someone or someplace that could provide it? Thanks.
As I think I understand the performance and weight tradeoffs of choosing either the Rotax
447 or the Rotax 503, but have no knowledge of their reliability records, my specific
question is: What are the reliability records of the Rotax 447 and the Rotax 503?
Thanks again,
Jim Byers - byersj@hanscom.af.mil
Jim there is no difference in the reliability of the two engines - they should both
give you 300 trouble free hours of operation between rebuilds. The difference is in the
horsepower and the ignition. The 503 has a good 46 horsepower in a single carb set up and
50 HP in a dual system. Another advantage is that the 503 has a dual CDI ignition while
the 447 only has a single CDI ignition. The 447 works off RPM while the 503 is a torque
engine. For my money I would always go to the 503 if safety is not compromised in the
weight and balance, and the pilot knows how to use the extra power. The extra power also
comes in handy if you are a large pilot, or are looking a putting floats on the craft.
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