FlyCorvair Debuts DFI Distributor and Prototype Prop

Last year in our AirVenture coverage we reported on the new distributor in development at FlyCorvair. That distributor is now available to order says William Wynne, owner of FlyCorvair.

Built from all-new parts, the electronic distributor employs fixed timing and is optimized to the best of Wynne’s ability for easy installation. Past physically installing the distributor in the engine the only other need is timing the distributor, a task done at idle rpm.

The new DFI distributor answers the need for a precise, robust and easy to install piece to replace the now worn out GM originals. The CNC aluminum body provides the precision platform to which the new CNC’d shaft and sealed ball bearings are installed. A pair of electronic pickups and a reluctor wheel—also CNC machined—provide primary and back up timing.

Timing from the primary pickup is retarded 10 degrees at less than 400 rpm to ease starting. Likewise, the back-up pickup gives a fixed 10 degrees retarded timing, but this is only in play should the primary pickup fail. The idea behind the retarded back-up timing is to give about 90 percent engine power, a sort of detonation safe “limp home” mode that can get the airplane back to an airport while minimizing the chance of catastrophic engine damage.

Besides the CNC body, Wynne selected the best features such as HEI style ignition wire attachments on the cap. This resulted in a Ford distributor cap with a Chevrolet distributor rotor; a combination sure to jar the sensibilities of partisan auto enthusiasts, but a good pairing for pilots.

The DFI distributor may be ordered on the FlyCorvair website now. Pricing is $1,199 for the complete unit.

Also in the Fly Corvair booth at AirVenture is a prototype propeller Wynne guesstimates will be available for sale in early spring of 2026. Saying the Corvair engine does an unusually good job of producing strong climb and cruise performance—just not with the same fixed pitch propeller—Wynne is looking to offer a 2-speed prop that can optimize both climb and cruise for less complexity and financial anguish than a constant speed.

The blades are the same Sensenich parts Fly Corvair has happily used for several years now, but the hub is an electrically adjusted FP-propeller unit from Italy. The combination uses a new adapter to mate with the Corvair crankshaft which figures in the estimated pricing of $9,500 for the propeller and $500 for the hub.