I just purchased a new Rhino (remember the 30 lb class thread?), well, after around 12 flights I started having problems with the turbine catching on fire throught the tailpipe end. The turbine would start its ramp up, shut off the propane, run up to about 3/4 running speed and then all the sudden flame out with fire comming out in copious amounts. After it happened three times in a row, I called Eric (after hours of course - he always answers btw). He told me that it was probably the bendix on the starter motor not disingaging. If this happens the turbine will ramp up but the starter motor is still engaged causing drag on the turbine. Simutaneously the ECU is calling for more fuel. End result FIRE!

Eric asked me to unscrew the motor cap, pull the motor away from the turbine and then run the motor starter test through the ECU control box. When I did I noticed that the bendix was sticking forward and not retracting when I turned the motor off. Eric advised that if this occured I carefully apply some WD-40 with a cuetip or something similar to the bendix without getting it on the black O-ring. I did this, ran the test again, and this time it retracted. I then put everyting back together and had approx 20 starts and stops without any fire issues. Problem completely corrected. Again, before I did this it flamed up 3 times in a row.

I understand that Jetcat's ECU will actually read the turibine RPM on rampup and match the pump voltage and compare it with a safety parameter and actually shut the engine down if the RPM's of the turbine don't match the correct rpm of the motor. Correct me if I am wrong but that sounds like a good idea until something goes wrong with that sync and you have starting issues.

All in all, I am very satisfied with how Eric has helped me out with this issue. I heard that a few other people have had this problem. This is definitely the fix for this problem if you have experienced it. Hope this helps someone who is going through the same issues.

Andy