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Downunder

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Posts posted by Downunder

    New throttle system for Rotax

    in Savannah

    Posted

    Oh the hours I've spent trying to sync the carbs......even getting new bowden cables made.

    The problem is always getting LINEAR synchronisation.

    Tuned to low rpm... no problem.

    Tuned to high rpm.... no problem.

    Getting both..... now that's hard.

    I'm intrested in this kit where I could connect ONE of my throttle cables instead of both.

     

    Secondly, do you have a failsafe setup as with the stock setup so that if the linkage separates in flight from the control the engine will still go to full throttle?

    It looks like both factory springs are still used.

    • Agree 1

    What are your other interests?

    in Site Announcements

    Posted · Edited by Downunder

    My other interests wax and wane but anything military, old or new.

    Played some Battlefield in the day......level 100 Colonel. ... it's never been better than BF 3.......1 and 5 not real good.. ...4 was ok.

    I'm also currently obsessed with UK "Narrowboating" thanks to a video in my youtube "recommended " list.....

    I hope to get over there and give it a go for a few months in a hire boat sometime.

    Expensive in summer though....

    • Like 1

    Reaction Time

    in Aircraft Incidents and Accidents

    Posted

    I don't know about others, but my two analog gauges (ASI/ALT) seem to register in my brain faster than the same displays in the Dynon screen.

    As you've said, it takes about second to read, analyse and understand a reading on the screen as opposed to virtually instant with the analog. I don't know why.

    Is this Covid or ???

    in Site Announcements

    Posted

    Two negative things about posts that annoy me and perhaps put others off.

     

    1. Someone does something different to someone else and gets belittled and ridiculed. (This can be subtle and disguised as a joke)

    A times there is a bit of "jumping on the bandwagon" from others if the original protagonist is a well known member.

    This puts other people off posting, less they receive the same response.

     

    2. People try to railroad, control and censor certain threads. Especially the accident threads.

    This is like watching a tv show that you don't like and complaining about it.

    If you don't like what people are posting, stop reading the thread.....simple.

    I do this at times, and can confirm it works well ?

     

    I've probably put up more posts in the last month than ever before.....

    I put up the alternator/ lithium battery thread recently. Sort of semi related to aircraft.

    What about the regular users commit to one new thread per week?

    • Like 4
    • Agree 1

    The issues surrounding lithium batteries.

    in Engines and Props

    Posted

    An interesting video about alternators and lithium batteries and some potential problems.

    Although automotive based, it shows a what can go wrong. The complexities of lithium not only relate to voltage, but the internal resistance as well. It shows the importance of a dedicated battery management system (BMS) for Lithium.

    • Like 3
    • Informative 4

    Aircraft certified motor vehicle engines. Is there a niche for them

    in Engines and Props

    Posted · Edited by Downunder

    Nikasil plating can be done, and has been available for some years. Probably still cheaper than a genuine Rotax cylinder.

    I'm largely guessing, but I recon a full after market big bore kit (pistons,rings,cylinders) would probably be cheaper than a couple of Rotax cylinders (just the cylinders). Some of the kits are not far off factory capacity for those worried about overpowering their engine.

     

    Edit. CPS show a Rotax piston/cylinder unit for $1530 usd, so $2200 aud direct conversion. I recon ultimately you'd be looking at close to $3000 ( with seals etc) PER CYLINDER replacement before labour......

    • Like 1

    Two dead, two critical after helicopter crashes in Broome suburb

    in Aircraft Incidents and Accidents

    Posted

    In my recent Kimberley trip, I was amazed at the number of 22's and 44's about.

    Fitzroy Crossing has a couple of dedicated businesses in hangars and there's about eight side by side in another hangar. Mostly 22's.

    Kununurra had a few and there was quite a number at Newman with a few repair/servicing operations out of some hangars. A couple of Ranger somethings also parked up.....

    Aircraft certified motor vehicle engines. Is there a niche for them

    in Engines and Props

    Posted · Edited by Downunder

    It's easy to make an engine with far more power than current aircraft engines.

    What's the hard part is making them put out that power reliably.

    This bloke seems to know what he is talking about regarding chevy v8's for aircraft use.

    Note the part about piston speeds and their effect on reliability.

     

    It is interesting to note that every aircraft piston engine designed to operate at sustained mean piston speeds over about 3000 fpm have been short-lived. We have demonstrated with previous engines that mean piston speeds (MPS) of 2900 and 2600 FT/MIN for takeoff and cruise respectively are reasonable for extended life, all other things being correct.

     

     

    http://www.epi-eng.com/aircraft_engine_products/ls_crate_engines.htm

     

    Here's a calculator for those that want to throw some figures around...

    http://www.hotrodmath.com/pistonspeed-calculator.php

    • Like 1
    • Informative 1

    Tell us about your last flight

    in Trips/Events/Seats

    Posted · Edited by Downunder

    Extremely envious, I one day hope to have a chance to aero tour. The trip looks awesome.

    I got to most places I wanted to go to.

    Missed out on Kalumburu, Drysdale station and Mitchell falls due to virus isolation and/or not open for business (not enough customers to make it viable).

    All good things come to an end. It's been a great 2 weeks but as I can't travel interstate yet ( I might be able to get OUT of WA but may not be able to get back IN!). With some work and an annual coming up, I'll head home.

    I may have another crack later this year if circumstances are better.

    Perhaps a dash to Tassie or over to SA and up the centre into the NT..........

     

    I would encourage everyone with an aircraft to give it a go.

    Start small with some overnighters, and go from there as you build experience.

    • Like 6

    Aircraft certified motor vehicle engines. Is there a niche for them

    in Engines and Props

    Posted

    I'm a fan of the Diamond Aircraft engines, Austro Engines. (Diesel ICE, not the Wankel's)

    I believe they were developed from a Mercedes engine.

    At one point they had a 3 cyl 120 hp engine.....which (on jeta1 fuel) would have been nice.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austro_Engine_E4

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austro_Engine

    https://www.austroengine.at/

    I wish they would release these into the experimental market.....

    • Informative 1

    Airframe insurance

    in AUS/NZ General Discussion

    Posted

    Has anyone had any response from Bill Owen insurance brokers lately? I made an enquiry last week and got no response.

     

    Probably no help, but I reinsured last December.

    They are normally very good with their communications but I had to prompt them several times, which I thought was strange.

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