Experimenter

July 2013

Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.

Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/142883

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Te biggest problem for homebuilders in converting any automotive engine is getting power to the prop. AeroVee's direct drive hub is now available, preassembled to the crankshaf. look for parts and derelict cars and so on, saving some money. We want to provide the proper amount of help at the front end of the build. The right parts, the detailed assembly manual…" Parts are not ambiguous at Sonex. Not Just for Sonex Aircraft AeroVees aren't just for the Sonex family. Several dozen other popular aircraft designs allow or specify VW variants. You can build the airplanes, and you can build the AeroVee from a kit; but you can't just buy a few AeroVee parts now and then and make your own VW from them. The AeroVee system does not support an á la carte parts supply for experimenters; its extensive parts inventory is for AeroVee customers. Depending on the prop, speed, and so on, you can bolt a spool-type prop hub extension as long as 6 inches to the nose of an AeroVee, according to Jeremy, who noted, "We do not use a prop extension in any of our aircraft." What you can get from AeroVee, though, are the parts that are maddeningly hard to find to complete your engine installation. The refined version of the AeroCarb is on the scene; it's now called the AeroJector. The AeroJector is available for 40 to 125 hp and above. This design works in any attitude and is the result of literally decades of refinement, from the original Lake injector through the POSA carb, to many variants, all the way to the AeroCarb. Now, Photography courtesy of Sonex as the AeroJector, only the heritage is evident; finish, component quality, and above all, function are refined. Sonex also has its own throttle quadrant. As Jeremy noted, "It addresses the only real service issue we ever had with the old system, which was in the throttle hookup. Now we have a redesigned system and offer a light, efficient, smooth throttle quadrant. We sell many hundreds of these—into the thousands." 80 Horses? Really? Jeremy knows there are lots of claims for horsepower from engine homebuilders. Most are pure guess. He said, "Rumors about horsepower persist. We do claim 80 hp at 3400 rpm. That's real, but you have to pay attention [to building and tuning]." There are very few ways to add horsepower while building a reliable engine, but there are plenty of ways to reduce it. Stick to the manual, and you'll get performance to match the rating. The base AeroVee is a complete 2180-cc, 80-hp kit engine that requires no machining and is priced (FOB Oshkosh) at $6,995. Popular options include the Nikasil cylinders ($750 for the option) and the preassembled prop hub/crankshaft/nose bearing assembly ($295). Various exhaust options are also popular. A phone call can get you exactly what you want. To learn more, visit www.AeroConversions.com. EAA Experimenter 33

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