Engine Market Research

[Michael T]

Hello Everyone,

 

I am an individual considering developing and manufacturing a range of Australian approved and experimental piston engines for recreational and commercial applications. I am very interested in getting other peoples thoughts as to if people would consider an alternative engine package and what sort of engines are people after.

 

Thanks in advance for your input

 

Regards

 

Michael

 

 

[Guest burbles1]

That's a pretty big initiative you'd be embarking on. You would need to beat the price and quality of a Jab 2200, and the reliability and consumption of a Rotax 912 if you want any chance of success. In my opinion, you'd be better to produce an electric motor capable of a 2-hour endurance with the equivalent of 80hp. Together with the UL260i, there's enough piston aero engines on the market. And as for developing a range of engines - well, one is pretty good fishing.

 

What are you offering?

 

 

[dunlopdangler]

Michael, a lot of r&d has gone into aircraft engine development here in australia and overseas, most have all hit the wall financially or been stifled by regulation. Probably the most promising overall at the time (mid 90s) was the german Zoche which was a light weight 2 stroke diesel which I have not heard too much about lately, last I heard was that they were having certification issues. With a pending (eventually) shortage of fossil fuels...most new r&d is being carried out with electric and hybrid systems. As Burbles has stated, there is a phetora of engines on the current market already with Lycoming even identifying the growing recreational market.

 

By all means don't let my comments dissuade you from having a go, Rotax and Jab do have a market fitting a niche. good luck with your endeavours.

 

 

[farri]

G`Day Michael, " What the mind can conceive,the body can achieve".

 

I wouldn`t try to talk you out of anything, However , I don`t know about commercial but I think there are already enough piston engines for RAA aircraft and for anyone to consider a new type and design,it would have to be superior in reliability and performance, and/or, cheaper in purchasing and running costs,than existing engines.

 

I`ve always used 2 stroke engines,I originaly started with a Robin 440, on an aircraft I built.

 

On the Drifter,I originaly had a Rotax 503 then went to Rotax 582,used up four of those and I`m currently running a Rotax 503.

 

I certainly would consider a superior,cheaper engine.

 

Cheers and all the best,

 

Frank.

 

 

[facthunter]

opportunity.

 

This path is littered with the dashed dreams of so many. The perfect engine has not been built yet so maybe you can build a better one. Piston engnes are a bit of an abomination with so many stressed parts trying to fling themselves assunder and the aviation scene is not a big market, the product has to be of consistent high quality, simple as possible, reliable, easy to service, smooth running, relatively quiet, light weight, use available fuels, with reasonable economy, small in size and cheaply priced.

 

Would you consider engines built on the wankel principle? Nev

 

 

[Michael T]

G'day Everyone,

 

Cheers for the input.

 

I hadn't considered going electric, but thanks for the food for thought, I must go and do some research about it.

 

Initially I am considering going up against the JAB engines although utilising sleeve valves rather than conventional. I have had quite a bit of expirience with these types of engines and don't think thier race is run just yet. I was considering having caburettor, fuel injected and turbocharged variations with reduction gear options. Thoughts?

 

I am also considering producing a slightly bigger, lower RPM 2 stroke engine. I have initially being considering a 750cc. My thoughts were rather than to use crankcase compression, to place a small supercharger with the engine allowing for a better, lower torque curve.

 

I was considering only Air-cooled petrol engines.

 

Nev, I hadn't considered the possibility of a Wankel. It is a very interesting idea though. I better do some more research on that as I don't have sufficient expirience to make a judgement on it.

 

Regards

 

Michael

 

 

[Deskpilot]

Now, an air cooled Wankle would be an interesting engine, especially if there was a quick way to bolt 2 or more in series.

 

 

[facthunter]

air cooled Wankel.

 

Norton (Motorcycles) did it years ago and there was an aircraft version of it. I personally believe that the liquid cooling is almost mandatory as the exhaust area gets very hot and distortion is not desired.

 

The wankel does not readily destroy itself and is very successful in racing outboards. The reduction problem is less affected with torsional vibration which is a BIG problem with aircraft engines, which have pistons which stop every half a revolution. The four cylinder in-line or flat is particularly bad in this respect as all the pistons are stationary at the one time.

 

A blown ( for scavenging) two stroke (Injected) as per GM diesel, ( But doesn't have to be a diesel). may be an option to look into. Avoid the use of the crankcase as a pumping chamber and lubrication/ cooling becomes simplified. Nev