AVSIU

Tag: #ExperimentalAviation

  • Corvair Airplane Engine: 5 Revolutionary Reasons It Transformed Aviation History

    Corvair Airplane Engine: 5 Revolutionary Reasons It Transformed Aviation History

    Corvair Airplane Engine


    Welcome to this year’s engine week. It’s time to learn all about engines and aviation. Firewall for kits, sales, and support for the engines, overhauls, firewall forward components, radiators, cowlings, and engine mounts.

    This is based on several hundred Corvair airplane engine-powered Xenos that have flown over the years. Thunderbolt is kind of its animal for Lycoming, now it’s Continental Titan, that’s what they came together, and you were looking for service and support dealers currently. And this is the UL 260, and this is the low compression version. All right, everybody, welcome back to engine week 2024. We do this about every two years to give you updates on what’s going on in the aviation Corvair Airplane Engine industry as far as engines.

    1. Origins of the Corvair-Powered Zenith Demo Plane

    William, we are here at your hangar in what’s the Green Cove Springs right, Green Cove Springs just south of Jacksonville, all right so one of the things I want to talk off just off the start here is this airplane because we talk airplanes right behind us, kind of a new addition to William’s hangar, you now have a new to you demo plane, so how did that come to came to be and what is the idea behind it, 20 years ago or now we’re getting older, 22 years ago.

    I had the first Corvair powered Zenith, we bought a kit from the Heins family and finished the first Corvair powered Zenith, it was the first tail wheel XL and the first dual stick aircraft and we finished it in about 100 days and used it as a demo airplane for many years and took it to Oshkosh three or four times, showed it to a lot of people and that was the beginning of Corvair Airplane Engine in Zenith and it took off and was popular, followed up by several hundred people following that.

    2. The Sale and Its Legacy

    At a certain point we looked at it and somebody made a great offer on the airplane and we sold the Corvair Airplane Engine and funded the purchase of the house in the hangar here, not completely but there was a great down payment and so that’s how we came into the house, but that’s also how we lost our Zenith demo airplane.

    3. Return of the Zenith Demo Aircraft

    But for an awful lot of years, we had so many customers who had finished them and flew them to air shows, people were more interested in taking a look at what other craftsmen had built rather than just us, and one of the people who built one of those airplanes in the wake of ours was our friend who owned this airplane and finished it, and it was done about 15 years ago.

    Time rolls on, all good things, you know, flow, and eventually our friend, who had built and finished and flown this airplane for a lot of years, got to a senior aviator status where he wasn’t going to fly anymore, and he called us up and said, you need another 601 to show people, come on out and pick up mine.

    So we got his, and where was that, at Tulsa, had the road trip from hell bringing it back on a trailer because I wanted the airframe and all of the stuff, but what we wanted to show was a fresh, current engine installation on it. So he kept the engine for another project of his, and we just said we’re going to put a brand new, current-to-2025-status Corvair airplane engine and do a demo of how this all is installed, and it’s very much like it always was.

    We have a book on Zenith installation of Corvair, it’s been very popular over the years, but I wanted to show people a couple of updates and some fresh stuff, and then bring the airplane out and fly it around and show it to people and sort of join the fun again.

    Corvair Airplane Engine

    4. Restoration and Simplicity in Design

    But what better way to showcase than on a stand that looks pretty, on an actual soon-to-be flyable aircraft, and the airplane is just getting a couple of updates, like the Zenith puck nose gear system in place of the bungee, and a general cleanup. But the airplane is going back in action, it was flyable like 60 days ago when we went out and picked it up, and it’ll be flyable again by Christmas or so. There’s no big rush; we just want to have it out for the 2025 season, and it is not going to be a show airplane, it’s just going to be a really good example of it.

    So this isn’t too dissimilar to the one you had; this is bare metal, and your other one was bare metal but polished, right? You’re talking about the one with the yellow-blue stripe on it, so it’s very similar to that one. I like to show people examples of—I think Zenith is a great platform—because you can paint it to the ultimate show plane, you can do very elaborate interiors, they have all sorts of stuff, people get deep into avionics and everything.

    But I like to demonstrate to people how light, simple, and cheap Zenith can be, by just deciding what it is you’re not going to have. And you can always paint an airplane later. This makes it a great candidate for displaying the Corvair airplane engine in a real, functional aircraft setting.

    .

    5. Benefits of Polished Finish and Fuel System Updates

    But Zenith, being made out of 6061, you can polish them and they’ll stay polished for a long, long time. You can go as sparkling as you want to go, and the polish is amazingly light and inexpensive compared to paint. The advantage of polish is that it can be freezing out and you can polish in your hangar, or it can be sweltering or 100% humidity or anything, or somebody else can be doing something dusty in your hangar at the same time while you’re polishing. None of these things apply to painting. And also, you know, with painting, you have to be good in real time—polishing, you can learn as you go.

     Well, let’s—I’ll grab the camera—let’s kind of walk around. You can talk about the updates to this and the airframe. This gives a great opportunity to show how practical and efficient the Zenith airframe can be, especially when paired with a reliable Corvair airplane engine.

    Corvair Airplane Engine

    6. Classic Techniques, New Technology

    Let’s dive into the engine. As I was saying before, we have a Zenith installation manual, and this is a copy of the installation manual. What I want to show people is how timeless some of this stuff is. There’s a page on fuel systems showing you how the fuel system is installed. I’d like you to go down, pan down there and have a look-see at that. Some things that were good ideas and were tested two decades ago, we still use.

    So, a lot of the stuff is based on proven, simple ways of doing things. The updates that we have relate to some of the newer products that are on the engine, but the installation is the same as it always was, including the motor mounts, all of that stuff. So this is based on several hundred Corvair-powered Zeniths that have flown over the years. The Corvair airplane engine continues to prove its value as a reliable and timeless choice in experimental aviation.

    7. Modern 2850 Engine and Affordable Performance

    But here is a modern 2850 engine installation, the same classic airframe, the engine looks a lot alike but it has very small subtle details that make it a little bit different than it was years ago, we have lighter weight starters,

    we have front thrust bearing, fifth bearing setup on there, little details of the gold oil systems that were done over the years and just subtle stuff and at the beginning, at the very beginning of all the engine builds, the engine I promote these days is a 2850 which is 2,850cc Corvair which is all the technology advancements in still trying to keep the idea of the engine being affordable on the affordable end of experimental aviation. 

    The Corvair airplane engine continues to evolve while maintaining its reputation for reliability and value.

    8. Carburetor and TBI Advancements

    There are a lot of great options for stuff, if you’re made out of money, but if you’re made out of sweat equity, we have the option for you. So, you’re talking about fuel systems here that have stood the test of time. One thing I do see, and I think now has become kind of like a design lock for you, you’re using a different carburetor.

     Want to talk about that for a moment? The carburetor that you see on this is a Rotec TBI. Rotec is from Australia; they have been around for a long time. They are sort of an updated version, and an improved version, of an Ellison. 

    We flew Ellison for years, but Ellison is no longer available. TBIs have been around for a long, long time, and they have a couple of subtle things that make them evolutionary improvements over them. The Corvair airplane engine continues to benefit from these small innovations that enhance performance.

    1. What makes the Corvair airplane engine a popular choice in experimental aviation?

    It’s known for being reliable, affordable, and having a long history of use in kits like the Zenith, with continued support and updates.

    2. How has the Corvair airplane engine evolved over time?

    While maintaining its core design, it has incorporated modern improvements like lighter starters, updated fuel systems (like Rotec TBI), and refined components (e.g., fifth bearing setup).

    3. Why did William choose to reinstall a new Corvair engine in the demo aircraft?

    To showcase a current, up-to-date Corvair airplane engine installation and demonstrate modern updates within a proven airframe like the Zenith.

  • Requirements for Safety Pilot: 7 Comprehensive Guide to Qualifications, Duties

    Requirements for Safety Pilot: 7 Comprehensive Guide to Qualifications, Duties

    Requirements for Safety Pilot

    In a world of practical flight testing, aerobatic flight, and high-demonstration aircraft training, the role of a safety pilot is both important and often low. Whether you are involved in test flights, aerobatic competitions, or advanced instrument training, understanding the requirements for safety pilots is necessary to ensure flight safety, regulatory compliance, and operating success.

    1. What Is a Safety Pilot?

    A safety pilot is a qualified aircraft that helps another pilot under a specific type of aircraft operations where additional supervision is required. The security pilot monitors the flying road, looks for traffic, and intervenes if necessary – mainly works like the second set of eyes and hands when the primary pilot is occupied with special features.

    Although it is not always compulsory, it is strongly recommended to be a security pilot – and sometimes essential – for example, in scenarios:

    1. Flight test new or modified aircraft

    2. Training pilot in aerobatics or unusual attitude recovery

    3. Simulated instrument flying (eg, when a pilot carries a display-limiting device)

    4. Practical flight certification flights

    2. Understanding the Requirements for Safety Pilot

    To qualify as a security pilot, some standards must be met. These requirements for security pilots are different depending on the type of aircraft, the aircraft’s nature, and the governing aviation authority (eg, FAA, EASA, A, or other national regulators). However, the usual norms apply in most courts.

    The first and most essential requirement for the security pilot is to maintain a valid pilot certificate suitable for the aircraft. For example:

    If you fly an unmarried engine stamp aircraft, the safety pilot should possess at least a private pilot license (PPL).

    For multimotor aircraft, a multimotor assessment is required.

    In some cases related to complex or turbine-operated aircraft, a tool assessment may also be required.

    The security pilot must be state -species and talented within the unique brand and version of the aircraft, especially if the changes or accurate structures are related.

    2. Newer experience and currency

    Mudra is important when meeting the safety pilot requirements. Most airlines require pilots to complete the minimum amount for starting and landing in the same category and processing of the aircraft over the last nine days.

    In addition, security pilots should be familiar with emergency techniques, communication protocols, and aircraft-written structures to ensure that they can effectively respond if needed.

    3. Medical authentication

    Another important requirement for the security pilot is to preserve a valid doctor’s security pilot must be appropriate to rely on the manipulation of the aircraft physically and mentally, if it is important.

    In many cases, the security pilot may be called to handle the duties of flying, especially during a period of checkout or high-endangered maneuvers. Therefore, preserving accurate health and scientific fame is non-parasitic.

    4. Knowledge of flight systems and modifications

    While serving as a security pilot for experimental or prototype aircraft, a thorough understanding of this knowledge ensures that the safety pilot can respond properly to anomalies or emergencies.

    Before each flight, the security pilot should review the air book, change register, and any known problems or boundaries. This step is the majority of the requirements for security pilots in experimental aviation.

    5. Communication and coordination skills

    In addition to technical expertise, strong mutual skills are part of the requirements for security pilots. Safety pilots should maintain clear communication with primary pilots, air traffic controls, and grassroots personnel.

    During simulated instrument flights or aerobatic exercise, the safety pilot often acts as a primary operator, making radio calls and complying with airspace. This coordination is important for maintaining status awareness and preventing collisions in the medium or fracture of the airspace.

    6. Status awareness and decision-making ability

    Perhaps the most important soft skills for security pilots are among the requirements to maintain a constant state of consciousness. It also includes:

    1. Traffic and monitoring of the area

    2. Look for a change in the weather

    3. Aviation

    4. Prepared to take control of the need

    Security pilots should be careful and active throughout the flight, never becoming complacent even under regular segments.

    3. When Is a Safety Pilot Required?

    Although no longer always mandated via regulation, there are several situations in which having a protection pilot is strongly advocated or officially required:

    Requirements for Safety Pilot

    1. During Experimental Aircraft Testing

    Experimental planes, whether homebuilt or modified, often require extensive flight checking out before being deemed airworthy. In these instances, the FAA and other regulatory bodies suggest or mandate the usage of a protection pilot because of the unknown overall performance characteristics and ability dangers.

    2. While Conducting Aerobatic Training

    When a pilot is gaining knowledge of aerobatic maneuvers, the presence of a safety pilot enables revealing altitude, orientation, and airspace safety. Many aerobatic faculties and opposition teams hire safety pilots to enhance training effectiveness and decrease the risk of accidents.

    3. For Simulated Instrument Flying

    Under FAA guidelines (FAR 91.109), while a pilot is training instrument flying, the usage of a view-restricting tool (like a hood), another pilot needs to act as a safety observer — 

    pleasant, the function of a protection pilot. This man or woman should be rated inside the plane and capable of taking charge if necessary.

    4. Responsibilities of a Safety Pilot

    Understanding the requirements for security pilot also means wunderstanding hat the role is. A security pilot is not just a passenger – they take real responsibility for the safety of the entire flight crew and the aircraft. Large responsibilities include:

    1. Second aircraft

    2. Monitor engine instruments and system performance

    3. Calls the deviation in height, speed, or title

    4. Help with checklists and emergency procedures

    5. If the primary pilot is disabled or disoriented, the plane takes control

    These duties emphasize why the requirements for the safety pilot are so seriously taken in aviation circles.

    5. How to Become a Safety Pilot

    If you are interested in becoming a security pilot, there are steps to meet the standard requirements for safety pilot  here:

    1. Earn a suitable pilot license for the plane you want to fly.

    2. Maintain currency through regular flights and recurrent training.

    3. A valid medical certificate is required to obtain the discount.

    4. Get experience with a specific aircraft type or assignment profile.

    5. Take special training, such as aerobatic or formation flight courses.

    6. Networking with experienced pilots and organizations using security pilots, such as the Test 7. Pilot Association or Aerobatic Club.

    Many pilots start their journey towards becoming a security pilot by helping trainers during instrument training or helping volunteers at local practical aircraft builders.

    6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

    Even skilled pilots can fall into traps whilst serving as a protection pilot. Some not unusual errors that violate requirements for safety pilot  include:

    1. Becoming distracted or complacent throughout the flight

    2. Failing to talk really with the primary pilot

    3. Not being organized to take manipulate of the plane fast

    4. Ignoring non-public fatigue or fitness problems before flying

    5. Overestimating one’s potential to deal with unfamiliar aircraft or conditions

    Avoiding those pitfalls ensures that the protection pilot stays powerful and ready to meet their vital function.

    Requirements for Safety Pilot

    7. Conclusion: Meeting the Requirements for Safety Pilot Ensures Safe Skies

    Whether you are preparing for your first test flight, a student helps fly a master instrument, or supports an aerobatic team, the security pilot must understand the requirements for safety pilot for aviation.

    Pilots can serve in this important role of confidence, by completing licensing, currency, medica,l and skills and embracing the mentality of vigilance and teamwork. After all, a well-trained security pilot is not just a backup are protectors of the sky.

    Therefore, if you are considering becoming a security pilot or working with one, remember: The requirements for safety pilot are not limited, but for safety, to ensure that each flight ends safely on the ground.

    1. What are the main duties of a safety pilot?

    Safety pilots must maintain constant vigilance, monitor traffic and weather, and be ready to take control of the aircraft if needed.

    2. When is a safety pilot required?

    While not always mandated, safety pilots are strongly recommended or required during simulated instrument flight, emergency procedures training, and other high-workload scenarios.

    3. What qualifications does a safety pilot need?

    Safety pilots need recent experience (minimum takeoffs and landings in the same aircraft category within the last 90 days), medical certification, and familiarity with emergency procedures and communication protocols.