Un d e r t h e C o w l
The 390 (3.9-liter) and 520 (5.2-liter) sixes are outgrowths of the 260- and 350-series fours and were displayed along with the purpose-built fours. Air-cooled,
direct-drive, two-valve, wet sump, and opposed,
these engines look like traditional aero engines, but
they incorporate modern metallurgy, fuel injection,
dual full authority digital engine control (FADEC) ignitions, and a lightweight, reasonable-size footprint.
ULPower engines are built in Belgium and are imported through their dealer in Missouri. For U.S. customers –
www.ULPower.net
Adept Airmotive Multi-Fuel V-6
Ready-to-burn avgas, mogas, ethanol blends up to E50,
and some biofuels; the unusual 120-degree V-6 by Adept
Airmotive is a liquid-cooled oversquare (98 by 70 millimeter, 4.2-liter) four-valve, geared platform that produces 280
to 320 hp. An asymmetrically counterweighted crankshaft
eliminates not only rotational vibration but also the rocking
couple inherent in offset-cylinder designs. Maintenance is
aided by design: The heads can be removed with the dual
overhead cams still in place. At 340 pounds installed (with
turbo) and just 28 inches from the prop flange to the engine
mount, this compact engine features a dry sump. One of
five preproduction engines is currently flying in a Ravin
test sled in South Africa, where flight tests at 190- to 200knot cruise speeds show fuel consumption advantages of
greater than 40 percent, compared to a TSIO 540.
www.AdeptAirmotive.com
The Corvair Engine
ULPower: Two Sixes Join the Fours
Next to the Zenith Aircraft area was a now familiar
engine from ULPower, but this time it had six cylinders.
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Vol.2 N o.9 / September 2013
The controversial Corvair automobile recently
celebrated its 50th anniversary, and Corvair aero
conversions have been around nearly as long.
Corvair engines offer smoothness, reliability, and
reasonable power to weight (typically 100 hp, with
direct drive). New parts for the opposed air-cooled
sixes are still manufactured, and there is a large contingent of worthy supporters and developers who
have made these engines both affordable and bulletproof, and who continue to support them with a high
level of expertise and experience. Corvair owners
are part of a tight family, encouraging seminars and
hands-on participation, reflective of the roots of EAA.
www.FlyCorvair.com