SWB ?
 

I am thinking about buying a turbine and have been looking at the SWB since it is American made ..has anyone been flying one and how is their service for it? Are they timely on repairs and such?

Thanks
The Thunderchief

RE: SWB ?
 

I am not sure of the aviabilty of the SWB motors, im sure they are still 100% in production but if your looking for a similair engine made in the USA, look at JD Enterprises, the sell the JDE-54, 100% American made.

RE: SWB ?
 

AMT-USA is 100% American made. Quality and service are excellent. (There is also an AMT Netherlands - Different company altogether)

www.usamt.com

RE: SWB ?
 

I fly 2 SWB Mambas, There lightweight, they perform perfectly when running, and miserly on fuel consumption. Starting however is a learned artform.

When sent to factory they have always been prompt and curtious, in my case however my only reply has been, that no problems starting at the factory must be something your doing.

Now I realize 2 years later another dissapointing thing is that, SWB does not even have representation at big events to help work threw this annoying problem. I was at Bardstown Jets 04 and Superman Jets 04 , no SWB help available.

Both mine even have the electric start option and they just squeal and hollar. I cannot get them started e-wise. I can do the airstart and can get them started first time about 80% of the time, but its a delicate balance of air/rpm/heat. I feel as if I am manual start qualified now.

Biggest problem seems to be heat, it pops and gets to 150 relatively quickly but does not go beyond this point without decreasing air/rpm and a teak or two on liquid gas, to get to 225 when the pump seems to takeover. Without the display I doubt I would ever get it started, just will not get above 150-175 with instructional starting. I also have to note "AS FOR ME" Propane will not start these motors. I can only get them started on PowerMAX starting with gas and then a few tweaks of liquid to get the heat up.

Since I also fly 5 othe AMT turbines its truely a Beauty and the Beast saga. If an AMT doesn't start you check for operator error and you will find the problem. Jet meet representation is abundant. JIM, Kramers, and host of others, KUDOS..........

RE: SWB ?
 

Would 2 months and still waiting be considered timely on an estimated $225 repair?

RE: SWB ?
 

Two months for repair wow what happened to yours did you crash it?I have a two of there turbines and they start and run the first start every time.I did find out that if you have a fresh charge on the starter battery it will squeal on the first start and will take longer to get up to temp to start the fuel pump.It must spin it up too fast with a fresh charge all I do is shake the propane bottle a little and it will get more propane.


Paul

RE: SWB ?
 

I purchased the engine used, and yes it went through a crash landing. very minor damage $90 worth of bolt on parts. 2 months so far, I still have not received the engine back. About three weeks ago I called and was told that they still needed to check the balance of the impeller, must be a pretty involved process. no call no show

RE: SWB ?
 

Skymac,

So JDE do not use Wren parts anymore?

jason

RE: SWB ?
 

Thanks guys...........I think I will stay away from SWB!!!!! Rekitter you need to call the BBB or attorney gereral in their state
thanks again
The Thunderchief

RE: SWB ?
 

I,m going on three months now and still no engine. Thanks SWB for your excellent service.

RE: SWB ?
 

That don't sound like them are you talking about a mamba you sent in for service ????

RE: SWB ?
 

No, this is the 18lbs Behotec, one of the many excuses I have received is that the engine is out of production and they have to custom machine a new part. I looked the engine up on the net, and it still appears to be in production in Germany, and the part # is a 66-1. Custom machined? or custom ordered? maybe it is being shipped on a row boat.

RE: SWB ?
 

Wow sounds like you have nothing good to say about SWB.Good luck getting anything from Behotec I have tried to get parts for my 66 from Germany and I could not even get a response to my e-mail. I don't think there English is that good. If you ever get it back let me know if you would like to sell it I have never had a problem with there service on the 66 from SWB.

RE: SWB ?
 

Sorry if I sound upset with these guys, but I shipped my engine to them back in march, it is now June and nobody from SWB has ever attempted to call me, I gave them three phone numbers and I have never received a call. When I call them I get the run around. I got tired of all of the excuses and had my wife call them up two weeks ago and have them ship it back in the condition that I sent it in, surprise they called her back. It was supposed to be a couple of days to reassemble the engine and send it back. where is it?

RE: SWB ?
 

Hi

I am the happy owner of a SWB Mamba -11 turbine. I have it mounted in my Boomerang, and this little nice engine has a lot of power.
My enigne has elecric start, and it fires EVERY time without problems. However to get in contact with SWB -company is totally hopeless.
They do not answers mails and I have sent a lot of mails. The time will come when the turbine will need service. But because it seems that SWB Turbines is hopeles
to get in contact with I consider to convert the Boomerang to Jetcat and place the Mamba on the shelf.
Do anyone have any iinformations concerining SWB-Turbines Mamba-11? Do SWB still exist , and are there pilotes out there who is flying Mamba-11?