The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I just read with ineterest the description of the Flight Design Hydrid Engine that uses an electric motor to supplement a Rotax by 40 HP. Wouldn't be nice if someone came up with an electric motor STC that allowed the installation of the supplemental electrical motor on the O-300? The supplemental electric motor would be the answer to most of our needs regarding the O-300. I suspect the electric motor addition would ultimately cost less than an 180 HP upgrade. We could experience all the economic benefits of the O-300 and when we need to get out of a hot, high air strip flip a switch an get and additional 40 HP for three minutes.

I can't tell how they're absorbing that extra horsepower -- increased prop pitch, or is it a fixed pitch prop that just turns faster (as well as the Rotax engine, when the electric power is on). Interesting concept. Is it worth the added weight?

Story with photo here: http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Fl ... 078-1.html

John

Sounds to me that the poly V belt drives a pulley with one direction sprag clutches of some sort similar to those found in helicopters. I'm guessing this because I think what they are saying with the term "overload" is that the electric motor doesn't load the gas motor. In order to do this there would have to be a freewheeling clutch to disengage the electric motor.

I'd much prefer the FAA make certification easier for prop manufacturers such as MT who have electrically controlled variable pitch props that could be retro fitted to our 170s. Thus allowing us to use the full potential of the engine we already have.

But that and certification of this hybrid will never be approved for our aircraft.