Author: eaainc@... Time: Sun Mar 7, 2004 6:46 am PST Link
In late January I unexpectedly was given the opportunity to begin building an
RV7A, and only a few days later I first learned about the Eggenfellner Subaru
conversion. After several long nights of reading the various yahoo RV and
Subie lists, I contacted Jan and arranged to put a deposit down on an H6. I
invited myself to visit Jan and yesterday he graciously suggested I go up with
him to see his engine in action. The following is how I described my experience
to my brother-in-law.
"Yesterday, I flew in an RV-6A with an Eggenfellner Subaru engine conversion
(4 cyl, normal boost supercharger) and MT prop at Massey Ranch (Edgewater).
Great performance and easy to fly. Push the throttle all the way in and leave
it there. Use the prop RPM (electronic controller) to control speed (and HP
and fuel consumption). Prop turns 2700 rpm (engine 5000) during take off (very
short ground run) and climb out (120 mph and 1000 fpm at or near gross
weight). Cruise was 185 mph (indicated) at 1000 ft msl and 2500 rpm. I think we
should see 195 - 205 mph cruise with the RV7A / H6 / MT prop combo. More
amazingly, the prop rpm set at 1700 (engine 3100) produced 160-165 mph and fuel flow
of 6.5 gph. Makes engine management as simple as FADEC. The 1.82 engine to
prop reduction ratio seems a very well thought out balance between making
maximum HP available for T.O. and climb out, and yet allowing moderate engine RPM
for extended cruise which in turn translates into long engine life and
reliability. Coming down was the only time the throttle was pulled back. Prop
dialed in to fine pitch and it acts like a giant speed brake. Nose way down and
we were descending at well over 5000 ft per minute (VSI was pegged) while air
speed stayed at the top of the green arc. No worry about shock cooling. Jan
is an impressive stick with a calm airline captain radio voice and he greased
the landing from an abbreviated pattern much too close and high for mere
mortals.
Impressively smooth engine and start up was simple, quiet and as easy as a
car. Engine at max cruise pretty much has to have a muffler (or two, in the
future) but is comfortably quiet with one. I was sold before, but now I can't
wait for my engine... It is in a crate stacked along one wall of the hangar /
factory. The last of the last batch of engines are going out in the next week
or so (they were waiting for the MT props to arrive). I was invited back and
hope to visit again in a month or so to see the H6 in process." Thanks, Jan,
for taking a break from your busy schedule and letting me enjoy the sky from
behind a Subaru.
It was quietly amazing.
Lookin forward to Sun & Fun... Larry
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Author: "jacklucas6" <jacklucas6@...> Time: Sun Mar 7, 2004 12:07 pm PST Link
Jan...
What a great endorsement by Larry. Would you put me in contact with
him? Either a phone # or eamail address would be great. I'd like to
have a more in depth discussion about his experience. Was his ride in
the NA or supercharged version? Thanks for what you do, looks like
you're changing aviation as we know it.
Jack Lucas
--- In vansairforce@yahoogroups.com, eaainc@a... wrote:
> In late January I unexpectedly was given the opportunity to begin
building an
> RV7A, and only a few days later I first learned about the
Eggenfellner Subaru
> conversion. After several long nights of reading the various yahoo
RV and
> Subie lists, I contacted Jan and arranged to put a deposit down on
an H6. I
> invited myself to visit Jan and yesterday he graciously suggested I
go up with
> him to see his engine in action. The following is how I described
my experience
> to my brother-in-law.
>
> "Yesterday, I flew in an RV-6A with an Eggenfellner Subaru engine
conversion
> (4 cyl, normal boost supercharger) and MT prop at Massey Ranch
(Edgewater).
> Great performance and easy to fly. Push the throttle all the way
in and leave
> it there. Use the prop RPM (electronic controller) to control speed
(and HP
> and fuel consumption). Prop turns 2700 rpm (engine 5000) during
take off (very
> short ground run) and climb out (120 mph and 1000 fpm at or near
gross
> weight). Cruise was 185 mph (indicated) at 1000 ft msl and 2500
rpm. I think we
> should see 195 - 205 mph cruise with the RV7A / H6 / MT prop
combo. More
> amazingly, the prop rpm set at 1700 (engine 3100) produced 160-165
mph and fuel flow
> of 6.5 gph. Makes engine management as simple as FADEC. The 1.82
engine to
> prop reduction ratio seems a very well thought out balance between
making
> maximum HP available for T.O. and climb out, and yet allowing
moderate engine RPM
> for extended cruise which in turn translates into long engine life
and
> reliability. Coming down was the only time the throttle was
pulled back. Prop
> dialed in to fine pitch and it acts like a giant speed brake. Nose
way down and
> we were descending at well over 5000 ft per minute (VSI was pegged)
while air
> speed stayed at the top of the green arc. No worry about shock
cooling. Jan
> is an impressive stick with a calm airline captain radio voice and
he greased
> the landing from an abbreviated pattern much too close and high for
mere
> mortals.
>
> Impressively smooth engine and start up was simple, quiet and as
easy as a
> car. Engine at max cruise pretty much has to have a muffler (or
two, in the
> future) but is comfortably quiet with one. I was sold before, but
now I can't
> wait for my engine... It is in a crate stacked along one wall of
the hangar /
> factory. The last of the last batch of engines are going out in
the next week
> or so (they were waiting for the MT props to arrive). I was
invited back and
> hope to visit again in a month or so to see the H6 in process."
Thanks, Jan,
> for taking a break from your busy schedule and letting me enjoy the
sky from
> behind a Subaru.
> It was quietly amazing.
>
> Lookin forward to Sun & Fun... Larry
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Author: "Larry" <simpsonl@...> Time: Sun Mar 7, 2004 4:02 pm PST Link
Jack,
I am a member of this list, ask away. Email is fine if you do not
think that your questions would be pertinent to this list.
Larry
--- In vansairforce@yahoogroups.com, "jacklucas6" <jacklucas6@y...>
wrote:
> Jan...
>
> What a great endorsement by Larry. Would you put me in contact
with
> him? Either a phone # or eamail address would be great. I'd like
to
> have a more in depth discussion about his experience. Was his ride
in
> the NA or supercharged version? Thanks for what you do, looks like
> you're changing aviation as we know it.
>
> Jack Lucas