Nope, he didn't do his homework, and several of us in the rotary community have corresponded with him regarding it (myself, Paul Lamar, and a few others). He appeared to be basing his weight on a stock transplanted engine. What he claims he was "trying" to say was that a bolt on option did not exist yet for the Mazda.. which is not what I read into his first article. Honestly, I am not gonna sweat it, because the experimental crowd is NOT AOPA's bread and butter, even though many of us have membership with them as well as EAA.
 
Dave

DLOMHEIM@aol.com wrote:

Just wondered if any of you read the recent article in AOPA on alternative engines, etc. by "Thomas Haines"?  In it he says:

 

 "Mazda wankel...tips the scales at 350 lbs. not including oil, water, and clutch.  Add 150 lbs. for the turbo system, plumbing, and the gear reduction...the thing appears downright portly".

 

Doesn't sound like he did his homework very well on the weight and requirement for a "clutch"...or maybe someone out there is installing a top secret two speed blower and isn't telling the group? :) 

 

dl