Over the past couple of years I have done several
stories on the HogAir, Harley Davidson aircraft engine conversion for
ultralights and light sport aircraft. This year I had a chance to
meet Brett Ray the owner of HOGAIR and to interview him on
his conversion. Brett produces the reduction
drive, wiring harness, oil tank used on the conversion in house. He
then takes a brand new stock Twin Cam 88 Harley Davidson 95 inch
counter
balanced motor and installs the necessary components. This gives the
customer the newest technology available from one of the oldest
motorcycle engine builders in the world.
Brett has been a long time Harley guy, having
raced them as a kid, and then building custom parts and frames. So
when he decided to build his own plane he chose to work with
something he new inside and out, the Harley Davidson engine.
Some of the advantages of the Harley over other
engines include air cooling, so a rad is not required, and higher
torque and horsepower at lower rpm settings. The Twin Cam
88 puts out more torque the most of it's competition. Top rpm is
5,000 cruise comes in at 3800 to 4200 rpm. No carb heat is required.
Fuel consumption in only 3.5 to 4 gallons per hour of regular
unleaded automotive fuel. Parts are readily available across North
America.
Pricing is another area where the Twin Cam 88
conversion shines, complete it comes in at several thousand dollars
less than it's major competitors.
Brett's first installation was on his Zenith 601
which he flew for several years and put several hundred hour of
trouble free flying on. His latest installation in on a Rans S-6.
While he is using the Harley Twin Cam 88 engine he has done some
modifications to it. He is using higher compression pistons and a
different cam profile, for more torque and horsepower at lower throttle
settings.
Brett's reduction drive is also available in
several different ratio's and the prop mounting flange extension can
be ordered in almost any length to fit different installations. The
HogAir conversion comes complete. Once installed all a customer has
to do is connect the fuel line, battery, a ground wire and a hot
wire and the engine is ready to start. The engine comes with two
exhaust pipes, which it is suggested the customer connect to a two
in one exhaust system, which will gain up to 10 HP.
Unless you are at an airshow and want to attract
attention. Brett started his display model engine up several times
at the show, each time the crowd increased 100 fold around his
booth.
Currently the engine has been installed in the
Zenair 601, several models of powered parachutes, the Rans S-6, the
Loehle P51 Mustang, a Baby Ace, Flybaby, KR2.
HogAir usually has engines in stock for immediate
delivery, and can do custom orders in 30 to 60 days. |