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/401344
EAA Experimenter 33 At AirVenture 2014, Adept displayed its 3.2-liter OHC V-6 engine, developing 320 hp, that is on the path to be certifi ed in the next two to three years. The company is now pushing the 350-hp engine that is specifi cally being developed for an original equipment manufacturer in the United States that will partner with Adept for certifi cation. The Adept techni- cians expect to have the engine certifi ed by 2017. Production is expected to start in 2015, while the yearly production rate of 300 units is expected to be reached by 2017 or 2018. The 320T engine is comparable with the Lycoming TSIO-550 engine but half as long, 12 inches narrower, and 4 to 5 inches lower. Weight saving is 143 pounds (65 kilograms) compared to the Lycoming installed in a same aircraft. This engine will be delivered as a complete, fi rewall- forward package. The Adept engine package will include a full fi rewall-forward package which includes the engine management unit, lubrication, electrical and cooling systems, starter, alternators, constant-speed pump, and vacuum pump. The Adept V-6 is a geared engine, and it will be delivered with two dif erent gear ratios that will allow either 2300 or 2700 prop rpm operation. The propeller is not included in the pack- age, but the company says it can facilitate the purchase of an MT or Hartzell propeller. Visit www. AdeptAirmotive.com for more information. ROTA X The market implementation of the Rotax 912 iS engine to the newly released iS Sport with slightly more power and greater torque is going very well, of cials from Rotax BRP reported. "One hundred percent of OEMs using the 912 iS engine will switch to the Sport upgrade, thanks to more improved fuel con- sumption as well as stronger takeof and climb performance," Rotax Manager Christian Mundigler said. Rotax received certifi cation for the fuel-injected 912 iSc Sport just prior to AirVenture. The 912 iSc ("c" stands for "certi- fi ed") will be used worldwide in applications for commercial use, such as fl ight schools or commercial activities requiring certifi ed aircraft engines. During AirVenture 2014, Rotax started an international con- test that will award a new 912 iS Sport engine to the fi rst school to log 2,000 fl ight-training hours in a training aircraft using a Ro- tax 912 iS powerplant. Value of the new engine is about $25,000. Rotax supported EAA's One Week Wonder project by donat- ing a 912 iS Sport engine. The Rotax 912 iS Sport engine is cur- rently under the cowl of 44 dif erent airplane models, and soon that number will rise to 70, Mundigler said. For more informa- tion, visit www.fl yRotax.com . SONEX AND THE AEROVEE TURBO Experimental aircraft manufacturer Sonex Aircraft of Oshkosh unveiled its AeroVee turbocharged engine and provided up- dates on its SubSonex personal jet program during the com- pany's annual EAA AirVenture open house. The turbocharged AeroVee variant raises the power of the existing AeroVee engines from 80 hp to 100 hp. According to Sonex CEO Jeremy Monnett, this is "a huge added benefi t. You're going to outper- form engines rated 120 hp or approaching 130 hp, because you have (the turbocharger) working for you." Monnett said the adoption of turbocharging increases climb rate by 200 to 300 feet per minute and cruise speed by 25 mph compared to non- turbo-powered aircraft. The AeroVee Turbo engine is priced at $10,995, and an upgrade package for normally aspirated Aero- Vees costs $3,995. Deliveries of the engine are scheduled for the end of this year. According to Sonex, 500 to 700 upgradable AeroVees are currently in operation. The AeroVee Turbo is the result of an extensive Sonex R&D; ef ort dating back to 2010. After much refi nement, the current version of the system fi ts all propeller-driven models of Sonex Aircraft and has undergone signifi cant testing in Sonex Aircraft's test cell facility and in fl ight. "By far the biggest surprise to me has been outstanding cooling performance of the AeroVee Tur- Adept Airmotive's 320T V-6 geared engine. Marc Becker, Rotax's manager of Aviation Service, and EAA's Charlie Becker celebrate the installation of a Rotax 912iS Sport engine in the One Week Wonder. Rotax donated the engine to the project.