Considering a Corvair

[daleandee]

*

[DCASonex]

60s and 70s technology, like Lycoming and Continental ? Not to mention those things from the Skunk works in that era like the SR71. Some things were made right back then, and Jabiru has demonstrated that "improvements" can be negative.

David A. Sonex TD, CAMit 3300.

[LarryEWaiex121]

Dale,

I have always found your comments about the Corvair engines interesting and informative.
Yes, those of us with Camit's specifically and Jabiru's generally, I believe, have a pot hole filled road ahead. I simply have my doubts about spares for BOTH lines. End of that comment.
I've often followed the evolution of the Corvair conversions but never seriously considered the engine because I wasn't interested in building one by myself.
Seems the most of the interest in these engines is in the SouthEast if I'm not mistaken? Did Mike January complete his conversion from AeroVee to Corvair?
Each and every time I've needed a powerplant it was needed fairly quickly and I didn't feel I had the time to build/assemble an engine package that required much more than just "bolting" it on.
Aside from those concerns, I'm interested in what the real world weights of Corvair powered planes end up being? Here is some background so you can see my reasoning and put my question in perspective. I will say first off that most Waiex's end up being about 20-25lbs heavier than standard Sonex and that's well known. You can't ignore that 17lbs of extra steel in the tail between mixer, pushrods and rod ends.
My Waiex started life at 678lbs empty weight the day she flew. With the addition of auto pilot servo's, pushrods, etc, it grew to 686 lbs.
Add in the Camit that starts out life about 18lbs heavier than the Jabiru it replaced and then subtract back out the 9lbs for the Earth X battery that replaced my Oddessy and there you have it. Today she sits at 695 lbs. My usefull is 505 (1200 gross). I'm 240 lbs so that leaves me 169lb for passenger and baggage.
Conversely, take the fuel load down to 10 gallons and I can take a 209 pounder with me on an hour flight and still have solid reserves.
Until my engine swap that wasn't really much of an option due to the fact that CG migration made the Waiex very neutral at low fuel levels. At full gross in the seats she became very sensitive at minimal fuel (under 6-7 gallons). Now with more engine weight that has substantially improved my handling qualities with a full seat load.
Where does Munnin fit into the world with the weight of a Corvair?
Thanks in advance.

Larry
Waiex121YX, Camit 3300, Skyview, 500 AF hours (5 yrs)

[daleandee]

*

[GordonTurner]

Got my Corvair 3.0 motor delivered yesterday in a big crate with engine mount, exhaust, intake, etc., the whole fwf package. WW and S.P.A. Have hugely streamlined the whole Corvair process and provide a well developed and proven Sonex powerplant mod.

Dale, I would really like to see your weight and balance data as well if you don't mind sharing.

Thanks, Gordon

[daleandee]

*

[grindio]

I'm also considering a sonex with a corvair, has any installed it with an aerocab from sonex? I read some where it would fly 150 mph at 5.5 gph and 170 mph at 7gph, are those numbers with a carburetor or with a tbi like rotec o aerocab? With wheel fairings?

[samiam]

William Wynne recommends several carbs, the most widely testing being the certified MA3-SPA carb.

https://flycorvair.net/2013/12/03/carbu ... ence-page/

[daleandee]

*

[fastj22]

I'm also considering a sonex with a corvair, has any installed it with an aerocab from sonex? I read some where it would fly 150 mph at 5.5 gph and 170 mph at 7gph, are those numbers with a carburetor or with a tbi like rotec o aerocab? With wheel fairings?

Those seem like realistic numbers if you are talking TAS not indicated.