Economic Aspects of LIGHT AIRPLANE ENGINES …

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Economic Aspects of LIGHT AIRPLANE ENGINES …

DOMAN, CARL T.

THIS paper discusses the parallel design and development work of two air-cooled engines with widely different applications, although the basic design of both engines is quite similar. Instead of following the usual aircraft practice in any detail, the author points out the advisability of using automotive practice and thus bringing about a simplicity in design which is impossible when following the normal aircraft practice.The cylinder design of the two engines is discussed and points of similarity shown.A description is given of an 80-hp, 176 cu in. aircraft engine, and the reasons why the design for this particular engine was selected over five other types which were designed, are given.It is pointed out that the use of large-production automotive equipment such as starters and generators in light plane engines effects economies which can never be expected by using the more specialized apparatus which is available for airplane engines only.The author claims that the recent increase in the sale of the light airplane results, to a large extent, from the efforts made by the engine builders to bring about production economies and thus decrease the cost of the powerplant.