KITPLANES checked in with TurbAero’s Bernie Breen on the development of the company’s 200-hp turbine engine for homebuilts. A partially built Van’s RV-7A (renamed the RV-7T) will be the company’s testbed once the engine has completed its development and ground testing.
In Case You Missed it
Unusual Attitude
Bob Collins - 0
Guest columnist Bob Collins takes on those who would rush the airplane building process in the name of getting real about the project. To him, the journey is as important as the destination, and he believes he has his priorities straight when he occasionally puts family and friends ahead of spending an extra hour or two in the garage.
Wind Tunnel
This month we use the accumulated flight-test data to determine what exactly is causing the unacceptable flying qualities of the airplane so that the best way to fix the problem can be identified;
What’s New
Lancair's Piston Evolution has flown, and MGL Avionics V10 com radio debuts. Edited by Mary Bernard.
Certainly be following this with interest !
Thank you! Wishing you the best. This may lead to the possibility of having turboprop replacement options for many of our certified Class I and II normally piston powered aircraft as well as homebuilts.. I have owned a light twin and now a humble Cherokee. I used to say one day I’ll have a turboprop on it. I was a former military pilot, I loved operating the smooth turbine engines. I know years ago, a small machine shop had made small turboprop engine of about 186 SHP that were put on Cubs and alike. They were burning about double the fuel as a piston engine. The shop decided to not continue making those small TP engines, even with a few in operation. I sincerely hope this becomes successful. We have seen great progress over the last 20 years in small turbine powerplants. Many of us are watching. Properly designed turbines are usual very reliable, even more so than piston engines.