AeroTwin Butterfly

[Greg Mitchell]

Larry Neal has been working closely with the AeroTwin Fellas. They have been able to adapt the engine and produce engine mounts to suit etc.
I think the cooling cowling etc are all extras to allow for pusher type installations.

Mitch.

[PW_Plack]

Mitch,

This is a very interesting engine design.

I have questions about fuel consumption and oil consumption, but having HP at altitude with the turbo would be nice. We're looking forward to real-world results!

[Greg Mitchell]

G'Day Paul,

http://www.aerotwinmotors.com/newpages/pdf/HPcurve7463001.pdf

They have fuel consumption and other info. PDF files with exploded views of the engine etc.

Like I said, earlier the folks at the factory have worked closely with Larry to give the pusher version the best chance at success.

Real flight data and testing is just around the corner.

Stay tuned.

Cheers,

Mitch.

[Greg Mitchell]

Paul,

These pics were sent to me some time ago, so I expect Larry is well advanced with this 'baby'.

I'll get an update.

Cheers,

Mitch.

[PW_Plack]

Greg, I know...I spent hours on their website and others. I interviewed these guys at length. I was still left with questions.

Specifically, their own data showed fuel consumption was higher than a Rotax 582 two-stroke at 65 HP, and there were signs of high oil consumption.

I'm skeptical this engine will pass muster with future environmental regs.

I'm still excited to see it enter real-world tests!

[GyroDoug]

Greg,

I was under the understanding that they had developed a new "super version" with a little more displacement and a little higher HP for use on the Butterfly. I think they are still working on it, but if they ever get it all worked out and proven, it would be an exciting option for a light Gyro. (especially for guys that live and fly at higher altitudes like me) Let us know what you find out.

Gyro Doug

[Greg Mitchell]

Paul,
Forever searching for the 'near perfect' engine. I think mine is a TDI Diesel.
Not sure Paul but I seem to recollect the latest PDF HP and Torque data to be very recent numbers. Date on the test?

Doug,

Yes/No Mate all I know is Larry spent a lot of time explaining to them what he needed. Many many moons have transpired and I do believe that this variant could be a little punchier. They designed and manufactured the carbon composite shroud and 'stuff':help: and worked hard toward maximum cooling effect for the pusher configuration.

I have emailed Larry regarding the interest and requested he keep us informed as to his progress.

Cheers,

Mitch

[PW_Plack]

Mitch,

The torque and HP numbers have always looked good. This engine held great promise to be an almost bolt-in four-stroke replacement for the Rotax 582. That was never my concern.

I just checked out the website for the first time in quite a while. I noticed the dyno test video which had finished with the room full of smoke was gone, but the fuel consumption charts were also gone - the links to them on the engine specs page are not functional. When those graphs were available, they showed fuel consumption of over 6 GPH at 65 HP, a little higher than a Rotax 582 at the same power level.

They also ran one out of oil on their test stand early on, which made me wonder if it was going through oil faster than expected. The idea of pumping a mix of outside air and engine oil around inside the engine for cooling, then reclaiming the oil before exhausting the air, will be brilliant if it works. But it doesn't sound environmentally friendly, and I'm afraid we'll be facing new regs in that regard soon.

I really hope these guys pull it off. The design looks great, sounds great, makes sense and is priced right. We need new engine choices, especially ones which work well at altitude.

[Greg Mitchell]

G'Day Paul,

You know a damn 'sight' more than I do, I appreciate the your extra info.
Mate, spoke to Larry and he said "You can be sure it will be fully tested before being placed on the market."

I reckon, there is some news just around the corner.

Cheers,

Mitch.

[Greg Mitchell]

G'Day Gyro Doug,

Mate you are spot on....

The intercooler top right of the pic....... A turbocharger heats up the intake air when it is compressed and an
intercooler cools it back down to keep pre ignition from taking place.

Larry's Aerotwin engine will have 80 hp. They are doing a special "big
bore" engine. It should be very powerful with the 68" prop.

Larry is very optimistic and will let us know more as testing continues.

Cheers,

Mitch.

[PW_Plack]

I just got word the website had been updated, so I checked and found the HP/torque/fuel consumption chart (http://www.aerotwinmotors.com/newpages/pdf/85_Throttle.pdf) updated.

Looks like about 65 HP @ 3950 RPM, @ 5.85 gallons/hour. This is an improvement in fuel burn from the 6+ GPH quoted a year ago, but still comparable to a 582 two-stroke.

Larry's tests will be interesting.