| There is a four cylinder, four stroke, 100 HP aircraft engine that has been providing affordable, reliable power to aircraft since 1960, and it is NOT a 912 Rotax! According to William Wynne of an Embry Riddle graduate, and A&P mechanic that engine is the Corvair. William has been working in the aviation field for over 20 years and has an extensive background working on Continental and Lycoming engines. So when he started working on Corvair engines for aircraft applications his goal was " to make them as much like a Lycoming and Continental in everyway except for the price tag." Of course some of the advantages he has with the Corvair is that it is direct drive, horizontally opposed, and air cooled just like it's aviation cousins! According to William the idea is to "keep as many things as we can inside the engine stock." Which means that thing pistons, rings, and bearings can be purchased off the shelf from automotive suppliers. With "everything that makes it into an aircraft engine available from www.flycorvair.com." This includes knowledge, information, DVD's, and the Corvair College. (See Editors Note) According to William "Corvair engines are available from coast to coast and border to border, with 1.8 million originally produced, they are readily available at a cost of $150.00 to $200.00 for a good usable core, with the engines built between 1964 and 1969 being the best." The engine will produce a net 100 horsepower at 3,000 to 3150 rpm. For applications using a shorter propeller the engine rpm will increase along with the horsepower. William also has power packages available that increase the engine displacement to 190 cubic inches which again increases horsepower.
The standard 100 HP engine will use between 4 and 5 gallons of fuel per hour. The engine uses a wet sump system, which has been increased in volume by 1.5 quarts. The ignition system features both points and electronic primary ignition. This gives the best of both worlds with the simple reliability of points, and the accuracy and smoothness of an electronic system. The recommended prop for installation like the CH 601, 701 and Pietenpol is a Warp Drive two blade. For faster flying aircraft a Sensenich propeller is recommended. The total engine installation weight comes in at 225 lbs. wet, which is 30-35 lbs. heavier than a Rotax 912 or Jabiru. William indicates that a pilot building a complete engine package built using the information supplied by www.flycorvair.com will have a hard time spending $5,000.00 to build their engine. It is also interesting to note that Bill not only helps provide power to aircraft enthusiasts he and his wife Grace Ellen have flown using Corvair power in their 601 XL, Pietenpol, KR, and Wagabond.
Editors Note:
The Corvair College is an event where, owners, builders, and enthusiasts are treated to the actual building of a Corvair engine for aircraft use. Corvair College 12 will be hosted by Ed Fisher of RaceAir Designs November 7th to 9, 2008 at White Plains Plantation, SC 99 Gilbert, S.C. For more information Ed can be reached at (330) 518-8383. I hope to be able to attend and follow up this article with others on the Corvair aircraft engine conversion. | 
