This is clearly the issue. The
gear style pump is very ineffective pumping air. You’d like to have
a setup where the oil is present at the pump inlet; or the surface of the oil
in the pan within a couple of inches of the pump at startup. And, as
mentioned, there must not be air leaks between an oil surface below the pump
and the pump inlet.
This brings me back to a suggestion I
made a couple of weeks ago; and is further reinforced by our loss of Paul
Conner. We have to help each other prevent engine-out scenarios.
This case with Andy could so easily have caused an in-flight accident, and
could so easily have been prevented if someone had pointed out to him that he
had a potential failure mode waiting to happen. Or perhaps someone did,
and he chose to ignore; I don’t know.
I’m still wondering if would be
possible to have regional teams of 2-3 people with some knowledge and experience
with rotary installations, who could be called upon for critiques, questions,
and suggestions on rotary engine installations before first flights. Maybe we
are just too spread around. I would be willing to travel 2-3 hrs by car,
or when my plane is flying; 2-3 hrs by air at no charge to participate on such
a team. I’m certainly not the expert, but I think I could be
potentially helpful. And I’d certainly appreciate such a session
with others going over my installation.
Am I way off the mark here? Could/would
this work? Are there others out there who would participate as “examiners”?
Would you welcome such “look-over” on your project? Do you
think it would do any good? I’d like some feedback on this, and then see
whether it makes sense to pursue it any further.
I’d be willing to coordinate with
Paul Lamar to see if there are folks on his list (that aren’t also here)
who would participate.
Al