The big fan up front.
The design of the RV leaves you with a lot of options when it comes to the powerplant. The design was tested using 160, 180 and 200 hp Lycoming engines. You can use any of these in combination with many different props…both fixed pitch and constant speed. Of course, you can also be a true experimental builder and step away from a traditional aircraft engine. I’ve read about people using diesels, turbines, rotary Mazda engines, Subaru engines and many others on their RV’s.
I haven’t made up my mind yet, but the thought of moving away from 60-year-old aircraft engine technology to something more modern like an Eggenfellner H6 Subaru is intriguing. Granted, there’s something to be said for putting my life in the hands of something “tried and true.”
Having said that, the Subaru is in contention, but I’m leaning towards an Experimental Lycoming Clone. Likewise, a constant-speed composite prop would be nice, but a fixed pitch composite, such as those made by Catto, is simpler and much less expensive to purchase and maintain.
