Living With An Avid Flyer: November 2011

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Simple and efficient

One reaction I got on my video was a suggestion on a very simple and efficient system to retain/secure the spark plug caps.

4 washers grinded down to oval shape, 2 holes in each washer and a piece of 4mm bungee cord…Adopted and implemented, thank you MichaeL!

THE BACKGROUND...

Flying home after a visit to Provence my Rotax 532 finally gave up. I landed safely in a field but the engine didn’t survive. Not possible to repair I had the choice of either getting a second hand 582 or a new 582. Or did I? Was there really no other another alternative?

After long nights on the Web there was one alternative that stood out from the others; Simonini Victor 2
Weight, size, engine mount as 532/582, 92 HP at 6200 RPM, lower fuel consumption. All inclusive price close to 582.

Too good to be true? Well that is what we will find out.

Second hand information on the engine is mainly negative on the Web while the rare first hand feedbacks are positive.
It appears that people like what they have and dislike what they don’t have – at least when it comes to airplane engines. And those who didn’t like preferred Rotax…

Simonini make 3 versions of the same engine, Victor 2 with 92 HP, Victor 2 plus 102 HP and Victor 2 super 110 HP. Would you manufacture 2 high power versions based on a crappy base engine? I would not, so why would Simonini? Apparently Simonini trust their engine, first hand feedback is positive and - 100% irrational - it is a very good looking little engine...

I decided to put a Simonini Victor 2 in my Avid Flyer model C HH and this blog will tell the story about it.

Reader's voice..

Micheal commented on new engine bushings off shelf: “A malfunctioning engine can be a real headache. ls3 engine”

Vladimir Meglinsky commented on the wow prop: “Our propellers are really good. Especially the saber-shaped blades.”

online digitizing commented on new jar new label same gherkins: “Wonderful! ”

Ekko Rubber commented on new engine bushings off shelf: “The new engine bushing installation looks fantastic! It's great to see how using off-the-shelf engine bushing can make such a noticeable improvement in reducing vibrations and enhancing overall engine performance. Thanks for sharing your journey with this modification—excited to see how the engine bushings hold up in the long run!”

Anonymous commented on covering wings: “Did you glue the fabric extension to the rear spar and then the upper fabric to it?”

Curtain Cleaning Lansing commented on second flight: “Great reading youur blog”

Anonymous commented on finally pneumatic tail wheel: “Bonjour, Je suis à Vannes et avons deja été en contact!Mon ULM hydravion Buccaneer a aussi une roulette de queue Maule, mais la mienne avec un pneu gonflable! malheureusement, les roulements sont morts, et le prix des pieces détachées abusif...auriez-vous par hasard les références des pièces que vous avez utilisées pour cette conversion?”

Tyreese Nelson commented on autumn flight to nearby field: “Nice blog postt”

Julianth commented on 2 stroke engine leaking oil: “What CHTs, water temps do you get? Max and in cruise. How many hours on the Simonini now? Thanks”

Julianth commented on 2 stroke engine leaking oil: “This comment has been removed by the author.”

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Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Simple and efficient

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