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Mark Lally  ES wrote
"IMHO most Lycoming and Continental engines are very poor
examples of engine technology and they should be ashamed
of charging the ridiculous prices they do."

You're right Mark.....at least somewhat.  However, I think that it's
easy to understand why aircraft engine development  lags so far behind.
Aircraft (and their engines) are manufactured in the hundreds.

Automobiles are manufactured in the thousands. This volume and the
profit resulting from it, provide R&D dollars which in turn spawn
improvements, and the fierce competition holds the prices down.  Not so
in the world of aircraft.

And don't forget about the FAA's regulatory process.  Remember a few
years back when the FAA said they would "make it easy to certify a new
aircraft"?  I wonder how many swear words Lance has uttered trying to
get the Columbia out of the door?  Why do automotive styled accessories,
such as starters and alternators, cost so much for aircraft use?

Also, the lawyers aren't as successful against the huge corporations the
automobile manufacturers have come to be.  When was the last time you
heard of someone suing regarding the design of their 17 year old Chevy??

At this point I think we are lucky we have seen any improvements at
all.  GA was very close to dying.  It is now on its slow return to
life.  Things aren't there yet that is true, but at least there are some
new developments.

I also stand by my earlier statement that may have caused some of this
debate.  I still say most of us are predisposed regarding which power
plant we want to use, or refuse to use.

Ed Rosiak
ES in progress

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