What is a "REAL" light sport aircraft engine?

by Jan Eggenfellner

Feb 19, 2018

What is a "REAL" light sport aircraft engine?

I was surprised to learn that many believe a "real" aircraft engine should not contain "unreliable" automotive parts, but rather "aircraft" parts. One individual just spent good money on what he considered to be a worthwhile since the engine supposedly did not contain any of these "automotive" parts.

First off, for an engine manufacturer NOT to use an abundance of mass produced, over the shelf, aftermarket or OEM auto parts, would not make any sense. Whom would want to fly behind any engine where the designer not only had to design the architecture of the engine itself, but also the composition of the piston rings.

Since the exact list of what parts are from what source, we will just go by what would be the norm

Cast parts such as:
The crank case, cylinder heads, intake manifold would normally be sourced from an aluminum casting house.

The Cylinders themselves could be automotive parts, parts made by someone that make / made OEM or aftermarket cylinders.

The oil filter, oil cooler, oil hoses, spark plugs, pistons, piston pins, piston pin cir-clips, all bearings, cylinder liners (if used), valves, valve seats, valve springs, valve hold down hardware, push-rods, any hydraulic tappets, rockers, oil pump gears, starter, gaskets, air filter, intake rubber couplings and clamps, fuel injectors, fuel regulator, spark plug wires, coils, the mighty ECU controller that actually runs the entire works, the electrical connections, the generator parts, the voltage regulator and the more are likely automotive or from some lawn tractor.

So, what is the point of all this? Well, just because it is direct drive and air cooled does not mean it is everything your brain think it is.  Not good or bad, just not the "from the ground" up, all made for your aircraft, thing.  

We just had a 2018 Honda Accord 1.5L GDI Turbo engine arrive today. All Honda tested.  Not made for aircraft but a marvel of closely tested parts, ready to fly any light aircraft around.  

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  • up

    Jan Eggenfellner

    The Honda based Viking are not for those that just want the ordinary.  

    Over 800 lb peak thrust from 1.5 liter.  If you like 600 lb?  That is easy.  For those that have something better to show, be sure to post in the next 24 hr so we can see if you are for real or full of hot air, with a keyboard? 

    Want to "argue/ discuss" performance?  Don't.

    Only the Viking 130 can do this

    Direct injection of Viking engines ONLY disputed by those that don't have it.

    Don't like to talk, unless something I am passionate and know a lot about.

    More about the reason for the Honda engines

    Viking does a lot of testing and fly all over the country 

    110 in a CH-650 - Imagine the 130

    Powerful even 6 years back - If you think Viking just started, maybe you just didn't know about us

    And no - You can't beat a Viking powered Zenith

    1

    Mar 6, 2018

    • up

      charlie rosenzweig

      Jan,

      Ref that video showing the 823 lb pull.   Can you share some details?   Turbo 1.5L 130?     Boost?   RPM?   Prop diameter and pitch?    

      Thanks!

      Charlie

      2

      Mar 8, 2018

      • up

        Ronald LeBlanc

        I think the 130 hp Viking engine is perfect for the ch750 Cruzer.  That is why I installed one on my soon to fly Cruzer.  I soak up any and all information available about engine technology.  I remember last year at Sun n Fun, I inspected a $45,000 Lycoming fuel injected engine with a FADEC electronic computer.

        I thought long and deeply before writing my mission statement.  The Lycoming would never be a choice.

        I always read the entries here on the Viking forum.  I have visited the Viking shop in East Florida.  Viking is a quality business operation that produces an Honda car based airplane engine utilizing a superb gear case that contains 3 spiral cut steel gears mounted in huge double ball bearing.  This design borrows from front wheel drive technology and automatic transmission technology.  I visited OSHKOSH and also Sun n Fun in the past.  The viking gearcase is a first class answer to having the 4 cycle engine spin at the rpm where torque and Hp cross, while keeping the propeller size is the sweet spot for efficiency.

        So i want Viking to continue making entries here.  Mr Jans's genius lies in his clear understanding of the engineering requirements that must be addressed to produce useful thrust from 4 cycle engine.

        Apr 9, 2018