Why focus on the O-200 ? Admitted , these engines are widely available and will be used on Cessnas LSA. You even can buy them new from Continental as I understand.
But the better fit for our ERcoupe airframe is the little brother of the O-200, the C-90. The C-90 uses the same crankshaft and pistons as the O-200, but develops its power at a much lower rpm. That way, you can have a longer prop, which is as I understand desirable. And the engine is certified for uses in Ercoupes already, allowing for a wide range of props. No additional engineering data is needed. The C90 should use less gas than the O-200, since its not running that fast. There are a lot of positives for that engine. Why is it so neglected? I want one in my Coupe. Hartmut ----- Original Message ----- From: Ed Burkhead To: ety Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 7:46 PM Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] Re: C-85 with O-200 crankshaft and the FAA Mike wrote: > It is my opinion that this is an opportunity in a small way. All you > have to do is make every issue or change a safety issue. It makes it > a little more difficult for them to reject something that purports to > make the plane safer. JMO. Mike @C35 Mike, You might be on to something, there, Mike. If anyone were to submit a one-time form 337 requesting installation of an O-200 on a 415-C or 415-CD, it might be useful to include something like this as the first paragraph: *********************** Though Ercoupes meet the minimum climb needed for certification, the climb on this model of Ercoupe with a C-75 or C-85 engine is marginal for safety. Other installers of the O-200 engine report significant improvement in climb resulting from the engine change from C-85 to O-200. However, consistent reports indicate that the cruise speeds of this model stay roughly the same with the O-200 engine and this propeller combination. This engine change is requested specifically to improve safety. *********************** I don't know if it'd help or if they'd want documentation of these assertions. Maybe we need to collect performance data and notarized statements from current O-200 owners to help future upgraders. What do you experts think? Ed Ed Burkhead http://edburkhead.com East Peoria, Illinois ed -at- edburkhead???.com (change -at- to @ and remove "???")
