Geared Drives-starting a Chevrolet Powered Airplane from Sun n Fun

Demonstration of how easy it is to start a Chevy powered airplane-centrifugal clutch does not engage prop fully until you rev the engine up enough to taxi so no danger of it going anywhere. (Tinted glass keeps you from seeing the helper on the brakes in right seat.)

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• experimental aircraft
• Wheeler Bud Warren
• Geared Drives
• Redrive
• PSRU
• automotive conversion
• homebuilt aircraft
• Sun n Fun
• centrifugal clutch

[geareddrives]

By the way, it includes the flywheel and clutch assembly. NO extras to buy. Bud

[geareddrives]

This wheeler is 3200 gross weight, takes off 3900 engine RPM, cruises at 3200 and will make 175-200 kts. Fuel burn can be as low as 9 GPH up to 15, depending, and that is at 19" manifold. This is the new style Wheeler tail, not the CT tail modified. I have no problems with any flutter and the airplane is stable with a full load.

[geareddrives]

We were at an EAA airshow and we were given permission for a "mag check". Starting procedure is just like that of a car, and due to the PSRU with automatic centrifucal clutch, the airplane is in no danger of moving at idle, the clutch has not engaged, the propeller can be tied off with a string upon startup and it will not engage until the engine is brought up to over 1000 rpm. This allows the starter to turn only the engine and extend starter life.

[geareddrives]

Not a Mooney. This is a Wheeler Express. A four place, fixed gear, composite airplane that is very slick. I use a 383 Chevrolet engine in my Wheeler, with an all spur gear PSRU with automatic centrifucal clutch and flywheel that I designed. It works great. This airplance won best automotive conversion homebuilt at the EAA fly in, Sun n Fun in Lakeland last month.

[tailwheelflier]

RIP Bud

[l3thDisciple]

@stopglobalswarming would they have a modified PCM of some sort? I just started working towards a PPL recently and am still learning quite a bit.. But if a vehicle gets into higher elevations, several factors are used from the engine and environment to monitor air/gas mix and adjust for those variations.. So would something like this still maintain a computer of sorts to help regulate those same adjustments? Sorry if I am not very clear, but not necessarily sure how to ask the question, either..

[incubrian]

keep up the great work guys! people like YOU are the future

[stopglobalswarming]

@bulletman100 This same engine in a car or 4x4 would not stall going up or down a hill. What I wonder is how they regulate fuel mixture and prevent the intake system from choking on the cold thin air at altitude. Water methanol injection? Fuel heater? Supercharger?

[flanksteak2]

Dry Sumps area readily available from the aftermarket although my reply is most likely of no help since we don't know what this engine is running.

[jacobneider]

WOW that rocks!!! What kink of engine is that? I get some specifications on the engine, PSRU and prop? Do you have a web site?

[f82man]

I talked with Bud last year about adapting two of his drives for a twin 600 HP viper V10 project, and he said "no problem". That would be the ultimate allison sound maker. Don

[LincTexPilot]

bulletman100.....if you "banked hard" it is MORE positive G's than normal flight, or on the ground. The oil would STAY in the pan EASIER. No, oil control is not a problem in positive G flight.

[huckebeinFW]

GM's LS7 has dry sump lubrication, so that the engine gets lubricated in high G turns as well. But this one is probably not LS7.

[bulletman100]

ok. it just seems that if you banked hard with a chevy engine with a full sump it would start smoking on the lowest bank of cylinders, if oil level got to the bottom of the pistons or above.