The main objective of the flight tests reported in this study is to determine the feasibility of a 50/50 blend of ethanol/methanol as an aviation fuel. To accomplish this objecitve, performance of a single engine aircraft using avgas and several blends of ethanol/methanol is studied. The aircraft is a Pitts Special with a Lycoming 0-360 engine modified to accept either gasoline or alcohol fuel. Data from flights using the following fuels are presented: avgas, 100 % ethanol, and a 50/50 blend of ethanol/methanol. Engine changes included replacing a pressure carburetor with a fuel injector modified for alcohol fuel. The cylinders were chrome-plated and aluminum components of the fuel system were plated or replaced with stainless steel. The aircraft is started on gasoline from an auxiliary tank and immediately after starting the fuel is switched to alcohol. Additives were used with the alcohol fuels to reduce corrosion and improve lubricity. Aicraft performance and basic engine parameters were recorded during flight tests. Variables monitored were airspeed, altitude, air temperature, exhaust gas temperature, and rate of fuel consumption. Physical properties, chemical composition, and wear metal concentration of the crankcase lubricant were measured at regular increments corresponding to oil change intervals.
Flight test comparison of avgas versus ethanol/methanol blends
Flugtestvergleich zwischen Avgas und Aethanol/Methanol Gemischen
7th Int. Symp. on Alcohol Fuels, Inst. Francais du Petrole ; 1 , Okt ; 402-405
1986
4 Seiten, 2 Tabellen, 2 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
Flight test comparison of avgas versus ethanol/methanol blends
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