Rotary (Wankle Engine) in a Velocity SE Aircraft

[SeafireTWA]

sound like an F1 reno-racer =)

[carabela125]

Is that a carbon fiber prop and is it direct drive to the engine?

[nswiss1975]

Wonder what kinda speeds it ill do?

[416street]

sounds like my rx7 lol when it idle

[NORCOAIR]

Wish I could install one in my DA 40.

[NSchnatter190]

This aircraft looks like a prop-strike waiting to happen!

[EzraHilyer]

What is GPH burn at cruise?

[EzraHilyer]

What is GPH burn at cruise?

[40joel]

Such a perfect aircraft motor on such a sleek aircraft. Must be fast

[alabala327]

how much rpm does this baby go?

[hgratp]

great! ...but, can you grate cheese with it?

[blinginlike3p0]

dem stcs

[SouthernPrinceKenny]

Is that a 4 rotor Wankle? I remember my RX-7 having a 2 rotor block....... Engine is short lived with only around 120,000 miles (car) between rebuilds ... done that 3x... ceramic seals go bad losing compression...... but it's a hellcat when it's running..... well known for flooding leaving you stranded until the next day... lol

[XHyperxNovaX]

@SouthernPrinceKenny One question, did you ever give that car what it was meant for? As in, a few red lines going down the high way ever week or so? These engines NEED to be driven. Otherwise the carbon would build up. Seafoam would've also increased the life of your engine since it probably didn't see many redlines.

[downthecrapper]

It would probably run a little smoother it you pointed that manifold back... no need for all that air coming from the prop to give it resistance going out.

[Duckyistrippin]

@downthecrapper hey dipshit...notice the engine is in the REAR of the plane? Its a pusher prop, so the prop wash and exhaust are traveling in the same direction.

[downthecrapper]

@Duckyistrippin youre silly

[winterstellar]

Does it glide well..? Hehe!: )

[BurnTheBlue]

Ah yes I see what you've done there, but the real question is.... will it blend?

[roffy89]

you are mad being up in the air with one of these unreliable pieces of crap strapped to the back of your plane. R.I.P

[dawoderpfeffer]

"Wankel" is the NAME of the Inventor. NOT wankle.

[lakewood85]

Sounds like a little R.C. Plane. ie. a toy. Oh, well...

[UunonMopo]

ricer

[MrHarlanDale]

kick aSS!!!!!!!

[Tj1056]

why use the wastegate hole for the exhaust?

[mviperdude]

Wait till you gotta top off the oil mid flight!!!!!

[bma852]

My Buick Century runs better

[jonnyawball]

I thought the prop was on the wrong way round, then realised it was a rear engined plane

[fatman5156]

it sounded like it was miss Firing there

[CanardAircraft]

there's some serious horsepower there and beautiful exhaust note....

[montey1017]

haha look at the radiator behind the engine, there is what appears to be an automotive pusher fan on it...

[blaze7191]

I was hopping the camera was gonna go flying out his/her hands lol only funny if they had all digits after the fact lmfao :D

[RoboTekno]

sexy >:)

[Triple88a]

So wheres the video of the baby flying?!!!

[Ricmcspeedy987]

that aint' turbo

[dankessss]

kurwa ale toto napierdala

[Monstertalon]

WHOA DUDE DON'T WALK SO CLOSE!!! YOU MADE ME NERVOUS!! LOL

[pinwizz69]

Clockwise/counterclockwise has nothing to with direction of thrust. Blade pitch orientation determines thrust force direction. several aircraft have used counter rotating props to counter torque effects along the axis of forward flight.

[TheRealFobican]

Don´t go near it. The engine will kill you! LOL sarcasm but also not! :D

[jamclay]

@finskin231...This is a Velocity aircraft in a pusher setup. The engine is in the rear and the prop pushes the aircraft forward. I guess you assumed the engine was in the front and thats what is confusing you.

Also, the Diamond DA-20 has a Continental 125hp standard reciprocating engine,not a Rotax. I think maybe the Diamond Katana Extreme motorglider may have a Rotax engine.

[cesarcano1985]

Nice

[finskin231]

I have not read through all the questions and comments but, to the untrained eye, the propeller appears to be rotating the wrong way and blowing the air forward instead of backwards over the aircraft. Also when the camera passed in front of the blades, there was a distinct buffet of wind noise. Am I right? If so, why did you do it that way ?

Thanks in advance and my apologies if the question has already been answered..

[nazzop]

it only need a turbo now...

[Oldbmwr100rs]

What kind of fuel usage are you getting running the rotary? I have a little experiance with the old 12A, it was really fun to build that engine up with porting and manifolds,but it used gas like a big V8 when we were done,went like hell though. I always wondered why they weren't more popular in boats, but the fuel consumption for aircraft would seem to me to be a big issue.

[soysawce1]

stick your hand in it, please. >:)

[nolannolys]

wankel... lol

[bluemax66]

How is the radiator getting cooled in the location in front of the engine. Do you have naca scoops in the front feeding it cool air? Looks great by the way !!!

[SpikeZeek]

@bluemax66 rad fan and enough room to let the heat escape

[MrMontagio]

It sounds like an rx7 or 8

[cheerdiver]

Did U consider the 20B, 3 rotor?

Is this a reduced drive, if so what is the eff of the drive?

I wondered if the hummingbird helo could be fitted for the 20B w/ a change in gearing for the higher RPM.

Cooling seems to be of primary concern.

[TheNitschke22]

Are the Wankel motors more efficient than traditional combustion engines?

[Bamchucknorris]

@TheNitschke22 they are very poor on fuel efficiency but have a much better power-to-weight ratio and are alot simpler in construction that traditional piston-type combustion engines.

[OzzInter]

Another great application for the MAZDA rotary engine!

Light and very compact for its power output, it is a good choice.

The only automotive engine I know of used in aircraft in recently was the VW air-cooled flat four used in Ultra-Lights

[Philscbx]

@OzzInter ' VW air-cooled flat four used in Ultra-Lights'

Totally junk compared to Wankel.

More pilots have gone down w/VW in corn fields or died because of them.

Wankel has been used in light aircraft since mid eighties when Coors Lite experimental used them.

[Boyneedsgames]

@Philscbx I would not say they are junk, but I would say that if they are stock they don't fair well in aviation. The rotary is perfect for aircraft because of their ability to stay at a high RPM without stress like there would be on connecting rods and valvetrain.

IMPO, I would leave in my bug where it was meant to be :).

[Philscbx]

@Boyneedsgames All Gen/Aviation is connecting rods/valve train. As A&P, I reman all types. VW's, something always failed regardless what they tried to modify. It's WOT 93% of the time in flight. That's why Lycoming/Continental rule. Very Solid. But at $20k+, vs $3k modded VW, that's why some die. Also, Belt drive killed my best friend, & co-pilot. Smart guys use Mazda, to Hightech engines of F1, to Superbike. VW's of the 70's, I agree, keep on 4 wheels, you'll live longer.

[hypnolobster]

@Philscbx More light aircraft have gone down that were running VW motors simply because there were more light aircraft using VW motors.

[Philscbx]

@hypnolobster

People use $50 junk yard scrap VW motors because they looked like real engines similar in shape from a distance.

These people are not engine builders by trade.

VW is barely a step above B&S.

Now compare 100hp rebuilt Lycoming at $10K.

The engineering inside a Lycoming or Continental is so incredibly different.

Very few people see the insides of normal engines let alone real aircraft.

Cheers

[schlusselmensch]

Well, have you figured out that Wankels are basically crap yet?

[darkeyce02]

sounds amazeing

[keefer2111]

This motor is full of RPMs its about time someone used one..

I remember in School in Elk Grove Village Chicago they had one on a boat and that thing was fast as hell.

[TheTVLicence]

Great engine, inspired design, but this rotary here does miss fire every so often!

[XxAtomic646xX]

lol Ricer plane

[CBarberLaw330]

Also, I have ordered my turbo and am waiting its delivery. I have made a number of modifications and refinements since this video, hopefully for the better.

[CBarberLaw330]

You are correct, the Mistral is much more expensive. The last I heard it was over $60,000.00. Also, the Mistral is not yet certified by the FAA and availability is questionable (kind moot for me at 60k). I fear the Mistral is pricing itself out of the General Aviation market. Perhaps they wish to recoop investiment too quickly or wanting to focus on the military drone market. I donno, but I question this stratigy. It is my understanding they are selling to Russia for use in helicopters.

[amramjose]

thanks for posting. why did you use a mazda conversion instead of a mistral engine? it is certificated and probably less maintenance (i am sure it is a lot more expensive). i have always thought that for internal combustion pistons are not the way to go, rotary/wankel is. only mazda and now mistral have made it work. fly safe!

[Parag0n]

Awesome work.

[DARKSCOPE001]

hahah is that a long ez? I love those things. neet little airplane

[catfisher10100]

emagine that in an 93 rx-7 lol

[artilistic]

@catfisher10100 *imagine and that is an rx7 engine they just mounted it backwords

[Shazee083]

if there is a turbo you need a bypass and you would here the wisel noise.

Second if you have a turbo you would able to see the turbo exhaust and the down pipe which goes with it. from the exhaust menifold

[MrQuattro4WD]

I just love the starter sound.

[poolmotorrepairguyFL]

Wankle plane Engine. YIKES ! BING YOUR SHOOT

[2346]

yep thats a rotary alright you can't reall hear it but you can still hear the jumpy sound the rotary makes

[monono954]

sounds like an rc plane!!! i love it!!!

[MisterHolaMan]

Fly away!!!

[haider87]

COOL!

[michael9515]

this engine seems to be turbocharged at the beginning cause you see the exhaust...

but hay.. niice rotary... the sound in idle <3 brrrm brrrm brrrm

[TheReaperDK]

uhmm how can u tell that its turbocharged because of the exhaust?...

and Also... WHERE IS THE TURBO in that case?

[starbuck680]

there's no turbo on that thing.

[emtrixdk]

thats cause its a turbo manifold but exhuast is flowing through the wastegate ports instead. = budget style

[michael9515]

i said at the beginning not now... once it had the turbo because the manifold plate where turbo bolts on... there is non turbo now on...

[JuanPapaNicolao]

Those engines are very reliable

[sailordiver2007]

Me too!!!

[Airundermywings]

I'm a pilot and i'd fly it

[Bamchucknorris]

ahh, music to my ears!!!

[therealmaximus]

you should put the turbo back on it

[douro20]

The engine originally had a turbocharger on it.

[slimeball6969]

you gotta make a better header if you arent going to run turbo

:(

[aceflyer89]

Doesn't the Diamond DA20 have a rotary engine...?at least some of them do

[jamclay]

no the DA-20 has a standard reciprocal engine. The twins have deisel engines.

[aceflyer89]

So none of the Diamond Aircraft have rotary engines. Or?

[jamclay]

Not that I am aware of.

[msekavec]

i believe you are thinking of its Rotax engine, but its a standard piston.

[itsumonihon]

no it's a rotary engine with no pistons

[msekavec]

Not in the DA20...it has a rotax 912 or 914 i don't remember which. They are a 4 cylinder horizontally opposed aircooled engine. I realize that the engine in this video is rotary engine, but the DA20 has a piston engine Rotax.

[blyndrotor]

Mazda is the main if not only manufacturer of rotaries for cars but the rest just try wiki. There's just to much to type here.

[BrianSupreme]

It's called "Wankel" not Wankle!

[kingbleah]

expensive hair dryer

[ImportsAreBetter]

wow!!!!!!...............NOT FUNNY!!!

[MGB1977Red]

I've put close to 500,000 miles on RX7 rotaries and I've noted some unique characteristics: They can take very high revs, have low compression, almost never wear out...they just get hard to start. Not much torque at low rpm but very smooth running overall so a gearbox should work great. No belts, cams, gears (except the big inner one) or timing chains. They are also very light weight. Lubrication of the apex seals is a little goofy. It's small, lightweight and reliable.

[trossachs2003]

That's interesting. I thought the problem was that the rotor seals wear. Has that been improved.

I suspect that if the motor industry had put in as much R&D development on the Wankel (Mazda & NSU excepted) as it has on the clumsy Victorian Otto engine then we'd be getting somewhere. And then what about combining one with hybrid technology, it would be brilliant.

[blyndrotor]

They got a hydrogen 13B rx8

[sh3lbot]

DO YOU FEEL SAFE? That's the question! I<3rotary but in a plane it kinda scares me HA! cool vid tho didnt think there was many rotary planes still.

[CBarberLaw330]

Please rest assured the camera man is a VERY capable fellow police officer who would never place himself in harms way. Thanks for the concern though, I can understand why.

[Duckyistrippin]

@CBarberLaw330 I'm a very capable masturbator, that doesnt qualify me for brain surgery. Just as a police officer has zero inherent knowledge of aircraft and/or safety. If it had shed that prop, he would be directly in harms way.

[CBarberLaw330]

The engine suggested by Velocity, the Lycoming 320/360 cost around $25k ish. A mid/low time used engine may be around $15 and may be around $18k to rebuild. YMMV of course as it is a changing market. While I have around $15k in my rotary, it is a $1k rebuild with, IMAO, a better platform for aviation. I like the way the rotary works. Cooling seems to be the largest challange and as all alternate aviation engines, ancillary systems need mindful attention. I was able to pay as I go with mine.

[Barbarian216]

Nice, 13b rotary? Wish my FD could fly too.

[AFM528]

Thanks for posting the video, it's great. Next time you film though, could you put up a barrier or something to eliminate the risk of the cameraman accidentally walking into the prop? I felt like I was watching a potential disaster! I don't mean to criticize, just making a suggestion. Thanks again.

mike

[Nissera]

is it a car motor?

[CBarberLaw330]

I think you may be going by the radius instad of the diameter. Again, it is what the factory suggests. It may acutally be 66. John Slade is flying a rotary powered Co-Z with the same prop with success.

[acharad]

That much power needs a bigger propeller. Such as 60"

[CBarberLaw330]

Actually, IIRC, that is a 68 inch prop. Also, you must be mindful of clearance from the ground. You do not want a prop strike. This is the size recommended by Velocity for this power range.

[acharad]

68" with tips off. It seems not much more than 35"

[xshyguyx06]

NO wayyyyyyyy

[coopersuperfastguy]

that is wicked! what is that a little 12a?

[JZX100Chaser]

Not really, the description states 13B, but I'm not sure..

[amillin]

Way to go Chris!!!!!