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First up:  the Aero 1000 by Blackhawk

 

This is a 4-stroke PPG engine.  From their website.  On paper, this looks like an extremely attractive package.

Positives:

  1. 4-stroke
  2. EFI
  3. 35hp
  4. Water cooled
  5. 4.3 litre/hr
  6. 38kg

Some potential issues:

  • Vibration: it’s a single-cylinder design
  • Cost is higher than some other contenders ($9450)

Next:  The Vitorazi 185
Yes, I know.  It’s a 2-stroke.  But in its favour:

  1. It’s quiet – honestly…
  2. It’s light (17kg – half the weight of the Aero 1000)
  3. It has very low fuel consumption (3.5l/hr – even lower than the 4-stroke Aero 1000)
  4. Fully EFI
  5. It’s cheap ($3200)
  6. Can be fitted with the exciting auto pitch compensating Variomatic prop (https://youtu.be/_S45iiXN2XM)

Some issues, however:

  • Relatively low HP (26hp)
  • Single cylinder (potential vibration)

3rd on the list:  The Hummel v-twin

Based on the Predator 670cc .  This from Laurie at Hummel Sales:
The base engine we use is the Predator 670. We basically strip everything off of it. The only thing left is the cylinders, crank and pistons. Everything else is high performance or custom.

What I like is that this is a two-cylinger engine, built on a base engine of which probably thousands have been made, and many of them are mounted in fixed wing airplanes.

What I DON’T like is the fact that this is a converted industrial engine, which while it might be extremely reliable, is nevertheless a generation (or two) behind the latest engines above.  Fuel consumption is actually double that of the Aero 1000))

Some specs and issues:

  • $7184
  • 39kg ready to fly (same as Aero 1000)
  • 8 litre/hr (almost double both the Aero 1000 and the Vitorazi 2-stroke)
  • 38hp (same as the Aero 1000)

Based on this quick run-down of specs, it seems that the race is between the Aero 1000 4-stroke and the Vitorazi 185.  The deciding factor for me is the rather piddly 26hp of the 2-stroke.

Out of left-field is the OpenPPG SP140 – an electric powerplant.

Specs:

  • Cheaper than the competitors ($6759 vs $9450 – Aero 1000 and $7,184 for the Hummel v-twin).  HOWEVER, the Vitorazi 185 costs a mere $3200.  You can buy TWO Vitorazz motors for the price of the others.  But also significantly less power.
  • 33hp equivalent, (30hp continuous)
  • 36kg with the large battery pack
  • Flight endurance (on a PPG which is extremely draggy): 70 minutes.  With a second battery (about $2k) connected in serial), flight endurance is over 2 hours
  • Cost per flight hour: 60 cents vs almost $8 at today’s gasoline prices in Australia.

So when it comes to powering your TCF, the choices are many and varied.  Depending on what powerplant you decide on, extreme care will need to be taken in ensuring the CG falls where is MUST.  The CG location is a non-negotiable.

The big question is – can the TCF fly acceptably on 30hp?  Currently investigation is underway to answer this question.