Received-SPF: pass
 receiver=logan.com; client-ip=75.180.132.120; envelope-from=echristley@nc.rr.com
Message-ID: <48A6F701.4040207@nc.rr.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 11:49:21 -0400
From: Ernest Christley <echristley@nc.rr.com>
User-Agent: Thunderbird 2.0.0.16 (X11/20080724)
MIME-Version: 1.0
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: Ethanol production
References: <list-3078137@logan.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-3078137@logan.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Mike Wills wrote:
> Not to single out Ben, but what does the politics of corn/ethanol 
> production have to do with rotary engines in aircraft? Can we please 
> stop this?
>
> Maybe get back to the original point of what impact have those of you 
> currently flying using mogas with ethanol noticed? Ethanol use in 
> aircraft is one of those sacred donts (kinda like using car engines in 
> airplanes). What I want to know is how applicable is this aviation 
> folklore to those of us flying rotaries in day VFR airplanes? I dont 
> recall seeing scores of cars pulled over on the shoulder of the road 
> with failures directly attributable to ethanol use.
>
> Mike Wills
> RV-4 N144MW

I welded my tank up from aluminum and insured that any sealant I used 
would be able to scoff at ethanol.  The fuel pumps are full-flow and set 
up close to the tank so that while I'm idling and taxiing most of the 
fuel coming out of the tank is going right back to it.  I'm not worried 
(much) about the ethanol settling out, or the engine swallowing a big 
chunk of water.  All the seal are of the automotive type (why are 
airplanes still using natural rubber ANYTHING?). 

I think ethanol is a government run boondoggle of the worst kind, but it 
doesn't raise to the level of a safety concern for my airplane.

-- 

http://www.ernest.isa-geek.org