Notices
General Racing Discussion Open discussion about racing and racing related topics

helicopter engine in a plane?

Old 03-01-2011, 03:55 AM
  #1  
airwebb
Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (3)
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: , ME
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default helicopter engine in a plane?



I have an engine question. Can you put a helicopter engine in a plane. See our club is starteing an "unlimited" class. basically race anything you want. I have found a nice heli motor and it is low profile for more aero dynamics. I was woundering will it work the same as a plane motor. thanks
Justin

Old 03-02-2011, 11:17 AM
  #2  
GREG DOE
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: , TN
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 23 Posts
Default RE: helicopter engine in a plane?

Justin, Make sure you can bolt a prop to it. If you can, go for it. Let us know how it works? Greg
Old 03-05-2011, 06:03 PM
  #3  
monkeygutz69
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Center Hill, FL
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: helicopter engine in a plane?

Airwebb,I had the same question... Here is the thread..As for Me,I am still a bit confused...
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10326329/tm.htm. Best Regards,TJ
Old 03-05-2011, 06:49 PM
  #4  
speedracerntrixie
My Feedback: (29)
 
speedracerntrixie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
Posts: 9,502
Received 172 Likes on 148 Posts
Default RE: helicopter engine in a plane?

All engines have intake ports that are for a lack of a better term, " Positioned " so that the engine makes it's peak power at a certain RPM. With a helicopter engine it is rather high. If we take a look at the math it may be easier to understand. For aerobatics, helicopters run a rotor RPM of 2,000 to 2,200. Most helicopters are geared around 9:1. so if you multiply 2,200 by 9 you get 19,800. This is the engines RPM while doing extreem 3D. So you can see how the engine is designed for high RPM use. When put on an airplane the engine must run a prop that allows it to operate at the RPM where it develops it's peak power. In most cases this prop would be too small to overcome the drag of a typical sport airplane.
Old 03-06-2011, 03:54 PM
  #5  
monkeygutz69
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Center Hill, FL
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: helicopter engine in a plane?

speedracerntrixie , now THAT explanation makes sense..Thanks, TJ
Old 03-06-2011, 05:16 PM
  #6  
js9467
Junior Member
My Feedback: (1)
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Fuquay Varina, NC
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: helicopter engine in a plane?

Ive got an OS .32sx helicopter engine that Ive had on a trainer, 4 star .40 and now a GP Big Stik.. It moves out!!!  Best engine that I own by far.. Go for it!!
Old 03-06-2011, 06:32 PM
  #7  
speedracerntrixie
My Feedback: (29)
 
speedracerntrixie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
Posts: 9,502
Received 172 Likes on 148 Posts
Default RE: helicopter engine in a plane?

The OS 32H is identical to the airplane 32 except for the head and the design is about 15 years old. The new breed of heli engines are the ones timed for higher RPM operation. I guess if the OP lets us know what his specific engine is I can narrow it down a bit
Old 03-08-2011, 08:06 AM
  #8  
plankdriver
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: , OH
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: helicopter engine in a plane?

Like the guys said, The heli engines are run @ pretty high RPM normally with 30% nitro AND TEHIR MUFFLERS are tunned to the high RPM

The 50s run in the 17K to 19K range, (no more) and 91 around 14.5K and 16K.

Be carefull with some of the older OS 90s, they dont like to be above 15K and anywhere near lean.
In a helicopter, All these engines run very rich because of the crappy cooling a helicopter provides, so the mixture with a prop will be leaner but dont get carried away.

Santiago
Old 03-13-2011, 03:27 PM
  #9  
airwebb
Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (3)
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: , ME
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: helicopter engine in a plane?

Thanks for the info guys. That all helps alot. Idont have a heli engine to use, but I am just doing research to see if it would work. Im building a race plane and Im trying to get the most bang for my buck. Most airplane engines that turn 18-20k rpm cost $4-$500 used.

Justin
Old 03-13-2011, 03:53 PM
  #10  
speedracerntrixie
My Feedback: (29)
 
speedracerntrixie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Happy Valley, Oregon
Posts: 9,502
Received 172 Likes on 148 Posts
Default RE: helicopter engine in a plane?

Give some more info on the airplane you plan to build. Here is mine, capable of 160 and maybe higher after I finish breaking in the engine and experimenting with props. Power is a Rossi 61 FIRE that I got off ebay for 86.00. There are deals if you look enough.




Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Mk25624.jpg
Views:	39
Size:	148.0 KB
ID:	1578277   Click image for larger version

Name:	Sq47542.jpg
Views:	31
Size:	148.3 KB
ID:	1578278  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.