new flat head light aircraft engine
 

Not Model A, but fascinating. Look close. A newer 90+hp engine is in the works and, I believe, weighs 150#. www.d-motor.eu

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

It is kind of unusual to hear someone say "Flathead" like it is a good thing. Pretty cool.

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

I can't be a good thing! Everyone knows that if a flathead engine was a good idea all engines would have them today!! :cool::D

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

It's tricky to get videos of this engine running on their website, but worth while to see and hear. Try just googling "aircraft d-motor". Notice the short take-off roll and climb out angle in an LSA.

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

The specs and write-up are pretty brief and some info appears to be wrong. I'd like to know the TBO.

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

On one of the videos, they mentioned a TBO of 1500 hr. and expected 2000 once it was further tested, but suggested that the jug and valve material would last indefinitely. There are videos out there, but you may have to figure out how to get them. They also said it used 2.5 GPH at a cruise of 120 mph in an LSA (two-place 1320#). The prop is direct drive and cruises at around 3000 rpm.

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

48 miles per gallon - not bad!

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

Thanks Jim. 2.5 GPH ! I sure like that !

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

The big downfall of this engine is that it runs on avgas. Avgas is on the way out, at least here in Australia, and it becomes more and more expensive to fill up. One of the local aero engine shops here is developing a 4cyl diesel. It is a flat 4, and 2 pistons go toward each other so there is no head, and the combustion chamber is the space between the pistons at TDC. It is a 2 stroke, so there are few moving parts.

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

Well, avgas is expensive, thats for sure. 80 disappeared from this area long ago. 100LL is about to become extinct also, replaced by a lower octane no lead. A lot of fellas do run their aero engines on mogas, but, I won't.

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

It seems as if Ferdinand Porsche's engine concept is alive and doing quite well.

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

The flat engine has been around a long time. Karl Benz designed it in the 1890s and they are still going strong. I've had many over the years in both air and water cooled versions from Continental, Lycoming, Franklin, Onan, Porsche, Honda. I'm running a flat 6 in a motorcycle with a carburetor for each sparkler..

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

The flathead has been around a long time too, but doesn't get much respect anymore. :(

Re: new flat head light aircraft engine
 

I thought there was a big resurgence in flatie popularity.